The Fire You Light

A few more weeks and I walk away from the ’23-’24 school year clothed in my right mind. We lost some of our colleagues along the way, some quit, some had a hard year. As we end Teachers Appreciation Week in my neck of the woods, I salute my colleagues who stayed in the fight for the sake of the call. The fire you light will come back to warm you in unexpected ways.

We gave some hugs, wiped a few tears, and gave hours of encouragement. Through the year we listened to countless stories with empathy and kindness. Without being judgmental, we strove to see our students through eyes of grace. We became better for it. Truthfully, it was far more than the ABCs and 123s. We saw lives transformed, hope renewed, passion ignited and even some broken places restored.

My encouragement to those who continue to impact the lives of our students : ‘ Your investment in the lives of those who sit before you daily will come back to you, multiplied in many ways. Stay in it for the final round. Continue to be that guiding light wherever you are positioned. Never let the fire go out – do not let that spark be extinguished!’

Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.

Deuteronomy 32:2