What if teachers were real with their students? 

Seriously, what if we were real? I mean, really real. Not vaguely real, or professionally real, but completely, unashamed, and real to ourselves in front of our students.  Would it change anything?  Would students want to learn from us? 

So, I get it.  I am not going to tell my students about my daily, personal issues. That's what my mom is for (love you, Mom!), but what is so wrong with being human?

I remember being a junior Marine.  I was about 19 years old, and I had to track the progress of injured Marines from the war in Iraq.  The time frame was 2004-2005.  I was young, immature, and emotionally vulnerable.  My friends whom I had hang out with a month before were living (or should I say hanging by a thread to life) in burn units in Landstuhl, Germany and Bethesda, Maryland.  These Marines were kids the year before, seniors in high school.  How real is that?

How do I tell my kids that they are about to embark on a journey that is ruthless, unforgiving, and also at the same time wonderful and amazing? How do I tell them that the real world is both dangerous and beautiful?  Do some of them already know?  Maybe their lives are completely ruthless now.  After all, I was raised by a white, middle class family of privilege.  I had everything, yet I still struggled.

Now, I know not everyone is going to join the Marines, but I did after high school, so that is my reality.  I can only speak of what I know.  I can't write of the experiences of others.  My voice would taint their experiences.  But I want my kids to know what they are up against and what they have to look forward to.

There is nothing worse than seeing someone settle for less than they deserve.  It is my hope that all of my students reach their goals, feed their minds, explore their souls, and learn that life is a gift.  It is my hope that all of my students grow and develop as individuals.

Until I blog again...