Reflections Of A Teacher

In Puerto Rico in the month of May are the last days of school which are filled with many emotional experiences. Happiness surrounds all of us since vacation is around the corner. Finally all the activities planned are about to happen: the campings, beaches, airplanes and all those things that will fill our internal batteries to be prepared again in August.

These last days of school are the time when students open their eyes and notice that another year left, leaving them with victories, graduations, failures, skills, experiences, friends, and grades that will be part of a report card.

Making final reports gives us teachers stress, spasms, and swollen wrists; this is the time where carpal tunnel makes it appearance. We all have a way to control our self by getting harmed from normal consequences of our daily responsibilities.

People find their ways to defeat stress. A strategy I used was to start earlier than usual with final reports. The Department of Education does not consider reality facts which could interrupt the process of final reports.

Taking a brief moment and escaping from the reports was necessary. I do not regret the time out for the results I received which I will share in this hub "Reflections of a Teacher".

From my desk I looked around and saw all the things that had made the teaching learning process effortless. I started to go around finding things to take pictures of. It was a delightful moment since the halls were empty of teachers occupying their classrooms. The students were already off but the essence of them was felt.

This was my twenty-eighth year working as a teacher. I have been starting the day with positive thoughts. It is like a treasure you dig into your heart and like a pearl, it will brighten your day from inside out when difficult moments appear.

What I like about my classroom is that it is on the fifth level (it has us doing workouts more than three times a day). A flamboyant tree has grown old from the third level and it clutches the structure like defending it from earths movements and serving as a filter for us to breath pure air. Wonderful birds make nests on it's branches as they enchant the hours with their songs. When I look out the door my sight and soul renews.

We all should become a facilitator, where we help to find wisdom, show doors to be opened, give keys to be used and provide tools that will be needed to construct and get out of a situation or place.

A hummingbird got stuck in my classroom and as I took pictures I reflected on my own life, children and students. How many times have we been inside a situation where there is no escape? Of course we do not help doing what corresponds to others but we could help being part of their findings.

That bird has been one of my best students as it became one of my best teachers; it became a facilitator showing me that there is a moment to let go as we act as teachers, supervisors or judges.

I could go deeper into my reflections, but my main intention in sharing this experience is to be part of positive thoughts..."that no matter where or how our situation is, there will always be in the environment something from God's creation to help us soothe our day".

I invite you to look into other ways of how to defeat stress.

Reflect on your days and make a compromise with yourself to delight in what you have. A day in May in Puerto Rico, teachers will not be found in school; they will be celebrating "Teachers Day"; a fabulous career where all the rest will come. Even when we end like the picture below it is a gratifying appearance. May God bless us teachers in our daily work with those that will become the future of this world.

© Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill