It was already a gamble working in a school. In the last 15 years each day became more risky with every school shooting.

In some parts of our country fights break out in the hallways and both students and staff end up in the ER.

The almost complete lack of autonomy, creativity, and lack of funding has broken the spirit of many educators.

Sounds grim and depressing? Well, it is. Sure, there are unbeatable rewards. On a daily basis students and staff learn life lessons from each other, create memories through all kinds of activities and sports and best of all we have the opportunity to impact each others lives. Mostly for the good.

Gritty, scrappy, and self sacrificing are the hall marks of an educator. Gritty because you have to be unbelievably resilient in the face of daily obstacles and demands coming at you from all sides. Scrappy, because you have to literally make EVERYTHING out of almost NOTHING. And self-sacrificing because we put our students and schools before our families or our personal well being!

But, these are not normal times. We can’t work or live like this anymore.

Teachers are so good. We always want to do the right thing by everyone no matter what the cost.

The cost of going back to school. before a vaccine, just got to high. Teachers are being forced to go back or take a “leave of absence” or quit the career they love.

We now have a line in the sand. What will you chose? Life or death? And not just for yourself but your students, their families, and ours.

Mental and emotional well-being of our students is in jeopardy. Okay, but what good is their mental health if many of them get the virus or worse die.

How will the mental health of our students be once friends, teachers, and family fall ill or worse?

Teachers are superheroes not sheep. Our combined intelligence, resilience, and experience is insurmountable. We’ve just forgotten that inside we are warriors who stand up for all that is good in this world.

Is it mindful to sit back, meditate, pray, and hope for the best? No. Is it mindful and compassionate to assume our leaders will make the right decisions? No.

But, it is mindful and compassionate to truly be in touch with our inner voice and intuition to state what we truly feel is the safest, equitable, and compassionately courageous method of temporarily re-opening learning.

Do you ever wonder why it is so easy for people with detrimental hidden agendas to spew garbage? It’s because instead of breathing, feeling, and pausing they instead react from the gut. Reacting normally comes from places of lack, fear, and panic. We’ve all done it and regretted it.

Then why does it take compassionate people longer to speak up? It is because they ARE breathing, feeling the suffering of others, and pausing long enough to respond in a more thoughtful way.

This is the time to BE on your soap box, This is the time to speak up for those who haven’t used their voices or have a voice. Don’t think about it as saving your own skin, BTW there is nothing wrong with that, but saving the health and lives of thousands of people young and old.

Turn your reaction, into compassion, and INTO ACTION.

Help those in leadership to do the same. They need us more than ever to mindfully advocate for the safety of our school communities.

Gratefully,

Mary