Note: this piece was previously published in October of 2019 on the Meemic blog.

In my new role this year, I have had the strange experience of having someone talk ABOUT me while a stand to the side and wait. It’s necessary to be introduced in these settings, but it can be…awkward, to say the least.

The first time this happened over the summer, the person read my official bio (which I wrote) out loud to a roomful of non-educators. I sat there, smiling, trying to keep my smile natural, as the presenter called my résumé “impressive.” I gave my remarks, and afterwards, a couple of other folks said it, too: “you have an impressive résumé.”

Teachers—I know you feel this with me—umm...what? My “résumé” is...teaching. Lots of stuff to lots of kids over lots of years. How is that impressive? (One side note: we teachers are a pretty humble bunch, which is part endearing, part irritating to non-teaching people.)

I remember trying to actually create a resume a few years ago and thinking, “what in the world can I put on here that would in ANY WAY describe what I actually do?” Since then, I’ve had other teachers ask me the about that same overwhelming task. 

I did a little digging about résumés to try and narrow this down for us. A teacher résumé will look a little different from a business résumé. For example, be sure to highlight your awards, skills and technology acumen. Also, keep it short—two pages at the most. I found these tips pretty helpful. Use objective statements and bold headlines, like this piece recommends.

So I want to give all my educator friends a little advice. Take some time to write down all you’ve done—the classes and grades you’ve taught, the committees you’ve led or been a part of, the teams you’ve coached, clubs you’ve sponsored, concerts you’ve organized and conducted, mentorships you’ve taken on for little or no pay, professional development you’ve presented, conferences you’ve attended, school and/or community outreach projects you’ve coordinated, the awards you’ve received...ALL OF IT. Write it down. 

Most importantly, go for it. No matter if you’re applying to write for an online publication, applying for your first teaching position, expanding to be an instructional coach, or something in a different branch of education altogether, you are qualified, you are smart, and you should make it happen for yourself. You encourage your students to follow their dreams all the time—have the same excitement and belief in yourself.

Or better yet, type it and print it. Then have someone read it out loud in front of you, preferably someone who is not in education. 

You have an impressive résumé, my friend. Own it. 

The Joys and Frustrations of Back to School

Note: this was previously published in September of 2019 on the Meemic blog.

Well, we’re back! School has been in swing for a few weeks now. Our littlest learners have figured out where their cubbies are and how to use them. Our middle school kids have finally figured out that pesky locker combination, and our high school students have memorized their schedules (but are most likely ignoring they even have lockers). And we have set up our rooms/offices and are in full work mode, including lamenting over the daily “what should I bring for lunch?” query.

This month, I wanted to explore what “back to school” means for the people who work with kids every day. So I asked colleagues from around the state—including your Regional Teachers of the Year—these questions: What stresses you out most about the first days and weeks? What is the BEST part of back to school? What does your district or school do to help you feel welcomed and valued in your first days/weeks of school? What could they do more of or better to help you feel more welcomed and valued?

Often the things that stress us the most have to do with the mundane, but sometimes overwhelming, tasks associated with the beginning of a new year. For art teachers like Doug Duncan (Region 7 Teacher of the Year, Kalamazoo), “organizing seating charts, sketchbooks, and working out the specials schedule” take up so much time and can be “major stressors”, but ultimately do not detract from the “excitement, interest, and engagement” he sees in his students. Instructional coach and Region 6 TOY, Tricia Zeman (Holt) admits that while “growing new minds and relationships” is wonderful, “having to give students so many tests so early in the year” is less than enjoyable. One educator from Grand Rapids shared that “disorganization and lack of communication” from leaders is an unwanted distraction that adds stress.

Many schools and districts try hard to welcome teachers back, but it can be easy to miss the mark. Teachers don’t necessarily need (or want) lengthy welcome meetings or big assemblies to start the year. As Emily Sommer (Rochester) points out “unforced opportunities to catch up and “play” together” are appreciated. She shares that events like a potluck or a trivia game can go a long way to “remember why I like my coworkers so much, instead of being pressed into meetings.” Region 2 TOY Amanda Clemons (Manistee) praised her administrators for showing they value staff just by “checking in with us and doing frequent walk-throughs those first few days.” Overall, the common theme is best summed up by Heather Poirier (Rochester). What really makes us feel valued are “things like the veteran teachers checking on the new ones, a surprise in your mailbox from a friend, or even a hello in the hallway” and can go much further than a huge celebration or a bunch of new initiatives.

And ultimately, the one thing they ALL agreed on is not surprising: resoundingly, my colleagues from around the state agree that with Lesley Signorello (Rochester) that the “best part of back to school is greeting the smiling faces! I know it sounds cheesy, but it truly is.” Todd Bloch of Warren agrees that “seeing old students and meeting new students” makes back to school exciting every time, no matter how long you’ve been there. And Katie Farrell, Region 3 Michigan TOY (Hudsonville) says it best: “it is…the most exciting part of a new year. I have the opportunity to teach, guide, and mold them into amazing human beings over the course of the year. Knowing where we start and where we end is one of the biggest joys” of our profession.

Welcome back!

Note: a version of this was posted to Facebook in the fall of 2016, and again in August of 2019 on the Meemic blog.

Happy New School Year to all of you dedicated Michigan educators! Hopefully summer—or at least part of it—was a time for renewal, relaxation, and fun. As I prepare for the unknown, unique and somewhat intimidating year ahead of me, I have some thoughts to share with all of you. I've separated them into messages for teachers in different parts of this journey, but I hope you will read it all. (Movie & book references are an added bonus.)

Dear young/new teacher: It's hard, right? Maybe more than you bargained for? Bet you could fill a spiral notebook with all the things "they" didn't teach you in college, am I right? It's not only an incredible workload (that no one outside of your teacher friends gets), but you're always second-guessing yourself. Am I doing this right? What can I do better? Did I mess up on my evaluation? (I don't even understand my evaluation!) How do I follow this IEP? When will I have time to grade all of this? Are my students getting it...? How do I know who is getting it? And on and on and on. But you must stay focused on the kids. They matter most, and they need your energy and creativity (and knowledge of current dance moves & reality tv stars). So, as Aibileen says to Mae in Kathryn Stockett’s The Help: "You is smart. You is kind. You is important." We need you, and the kids need you. We need your energy (and possibly your help with Google Docs). The kids need you to make mistakes, own them, learn from them (laugh at them!) and grow as a professional. Stay with us. Don't give up. And—most importantly—ask for help. 

And you, middle-career teacher, how's that work-life balance going? Not enough hours in the day? Feeling 

too far in to switch schools (or careers!), but so overwhelmed it feels like every day brings a new challenge? Some days you still love (and I do mean LOVE) the job so much, you cannot fathom another path. Other days, you're spending lunch searching "alternate careers for teachers" on your phone. The pressure on you is different than it was way back when; not only are students relying on you, you are also a mentor to all of those young teachers, not to mention all of the “extras” administrators are asking you to do. We need your experience, your knowledge of the pitfalls, and your courage. You may not know it, but those younger teachers are looking to YOU for how to make this career work. They need you to show them how and where to draw those lines between teacher & student (so they won't get their hearts broken when those kids let them down—because they will—they are kids). So here is my—and Dory’s—very simple message for you: "Just keep swimming." Don't give in to bitterness or frustration. Don't give up on all of us. Don’t give up on yourself. Take time for your life outside of your classroom, and keep going. Keep growing. Help a young teacher—you are better at this than you know, and this is a career worth fighting for.

And you, veteran. Still working just as hard, but getting REALLY tired of people saying you're "burnt out" just because you don't want to chaperone every dance, club or sporting event or volunteer to head up six different committees. You have more knowledge, have seen more changes, have been around longer than most of the staff (and possibly your administrators), and still you are treated like a dinosaur because you don't

want to "tweet" your homework assignments. You've survived every "GREAT NEW IDEA!!" that has come along, and lived to come out the other side. We need your perspective, your willingness to speak truth to power, and to share your earned insights. The light at the end of the tunnel is SO bright now, but still there is a part of you that doesn't want to go. Because this isn't just a job, you know. This is a passion, a calling, a profession, and can be tough to give up. So until that day comes--and even after you retire (while I know I'm changing the wording in A Few Good Men a little), please know that "We want you on that wall. We NEED you on that wall." YOU are our history. You warn us when things don't look quite right. And even if (when!) we don't listen, keep it up. 

To close, this is my wish for 2019-20: Let’s—at all stages of our careers—spend a little time reaching out to each other, so we can all be better for kids. Let’s do less judging of and bickering with each other, and more

listening to other’s perspectives and experiences, so we can focus on banding together as one voice for our students and for our profession. You want change in your school? In your district? In your state? In your country? You have allies, and they are your colleagues. Remember, as The Three Musketeers (and Bryan Adams) remind us: "All for one, and one for all."

Let's make this the year we continue to support each other, no matter where we are in this exhilarating, confusing, challenging, surprising, crazy, scary ride we call TEACHING. 

Much love to all of you doing this job. I am so very proud to be a voice for Michigan’s teachers this year. You are warriors and champions for kids. Thanks for reading and may your school year be happy & healthy.