Back to School Thoughts

This week is 'Back to School Week' for students, staff and families. Being an educator myself for over 30+ years, I can't help but think of my education colleagues that have been spending the past few weeks planning, organizing, hiring etc. in preparing for and in anticipation of the start of the school year. The general public doesn't really realize that the weeks leading up to the start of school are always busy and stressful for administrators, teachers and educational support staff alike. I can only imagine the heightened stress and anxiety they are feeling this year with all of the uncertainty, unknowns and possible health and safety concerns that they are facing and will have to deal with over the coming weeks and perhaps months. 

Back to school marks the end of summer and the start of fall. I can't believe how much has changed in education this past year since my retirement and cancer diagnosis. While I have been focused on my personal health struggles, the education world has been turned upside down. This school year will be like no other. Normally the school year has a familiar pattern and flow to it. It is generally predictable and most approach the start of school with excitement and anticipation. I am not sure this will be the case this year. Having responsibility for the safety and security of students can seem daunting at the best of times, but with the possibility of COVID-19 ever lurking, it has been taken to a whole new level. I salute all of you that have risen to the challenge and are working hard to minimize the health and safety concerns for all. You all rock!

Back to school for teachers/administrators is actually quite similar to that of the students. We too get our new back to school outfit and have that nervous anticipation for the first day of school. Most of us have back to school dreams (or nightmares) for a few days leading up to the first day. I know I did. Even now in retirement I am still dreaming about going back to school--when does that end?   

We always would take a back to school photo on our front step of our three kids - bright and shiny, new outfits, new shoes, new backpacks - excited to start a new year.  We still do this today, with just one left in university and looking toward an unusual year of online studies, we still took the requisite "back to school" photo.  I really need to line these all up in a photo essay and see how they have changed over all of these years.  A new project for me!

Last year we started the tradition of gathering up education retirees for a first day of school breakfast. This is my second year joining others for this special breakfast. We celebrate our freedom and wish our colleagues well as they start off a new school year. We also have a little fun by 'rubbing it in a little' that we get to linger over coffee. No "bells" for us anymore! I'm so thankful that I still have the energy to participate in these special moments with my colleagues and friends.

I do miss my job as an administrator. I miss interacting with staff and talking with students. It is amazing how young you remain when you intermix with students on a regular basis. I also miss the bus-y-ness of the school day. My days are now are filled with appointments, tests and treatments.  Working in education has been a wonderful career. I am so glad that I chose that career pathway.  Still I'm not sure, given the current circumstances, that I will miss it that much this year! It will be a wild ride this year for sure. Crazy times.

The one thing I am sure of is that senior admin, administrator and education staff will do their best to ensure a safe return to school for students and staff. By nature, staff are caring and thoughtful and will do whatever it takes to prepare for and adapt to changes needed to continue safe learning for all students. This return to school is like no other. 

Wishing all of my education colleagues all the best this school year.

To my fellow retirees, who wants to go for a (physical distance) coffee? 

Richard