Authored by Jessica Parker-Farris
Last year I was feeling pretty burned out, which is why upon joining TEAM, I shared that I’m interested in focusing on wellness for all of us – students, teachers, and admin alike. When at one of those low moments last spring, I found answers in the wisdom of a fourth grader but never shared. Here’s what I’d written:
Who’s with me when I say sometimes teaching can be downright exhausting!?! We’ve all experienced those mornings (I dare not reflect how many!) where we don’t want to get out of bed yet alone have the energy to give our best to our students all day long. My giving-chamber has felt empty. I’m burned out, and I know I’m not alone. Even as early as workshop week, I felt I could see it on the faces of so many of us, teachers and admin alike: “Wait! We just made it through Covid but we have to do this all again? And now through accreditation? What gives?” Folks working like maniacs through two years of school with Covid protocols and stress, the adrenaline has finally dried up. My body and mind both feel depleted. To make matters worse, I’m also pretty talented at beating myself up about what I haven’t done, where I think I should be in my life, as opposed to where I actually am concerning wisdom, relationships, accomplishments – you name it! Seeing a professional occasionally doesn’t hurt, but the daily grind can take its toll.
Though middle and high school teachers don’t get a free pass by any means, teaching soft-skills at the elementary level is as necessary as academics: how to say good morning; how to make eye contact while saying it; a kinder way to say things; how to use words at all; or better still, how to stop talking incessantly and everyone all at once! Reminding myself that all of these moments are teachable ones doesn’t negate the fact that it’s still draining day after day, all day long. A few weeks ago someone in the hallway said, “Sometimes you just need five minutes” when Rachel Newman grinned and said, “And sometimes ya need more!” Being isolated in a room 24/7 with only young kiddos over time can take its toll – bah humbug!! But then there are moments that are truly amazing, moments that deserve pause, reflection, appreciation.
Abigail Shannon, one of our fourth graders this year, is one of those students who continually brightens my day and reminds me that maybe I can shift my own perspective! For the past four years, I have been fortunate to be Abigail’s art teacher. Last year Abigail was obsessed with mermaids, rainbows, glitter, and unicorns (Check out Facts about Unicorns in the LS Library!). Exploring what she’s curious about during Studio Time, I have personally witnessed her skills and voice evolve as an artist.
In the Disney animation book, Drawn to Life: 20 Years of Golden Master Classes by Walt Stanchfield, he shares writer Rebecca West’s quote, “I write to find out about things,” suggesting visual artists similarly use drawing as their medium of discovery. This year Abigail’s evolving study of drawing led her to explore and make-believe traveling across the world. For two months or more, Abigail illustrated the pictures for her first picture book. Excited to share her work, and possibly to bask in her glory, I impatiently waited – it was looking amazing! I constantly bombarded her and asked if it was finished. She worked continually, whether in art class, her homeroom, or at home. Once she completed all of the illustrations, she’d go back and finish the words. Adamant all of the school should see her book, I asked Rachel Scott if she’d help me create a QR so folks could see it via the SA Weekly News. Abigail had so much excitement every time she came to class and worked on it, and I knew I’d be scanning it any day now.
Abigail finally finished the illustrations!
She just had to finish up the last page of writing when I bumped into her at morning carpool. “Did you bring it? Did you finish it?,” I asked, but Abigail answered with a calm, “No. We looked and looked for it, but my housekeeper threw it away.” With a big smile she continued, “But it’s ok. I’ve already started working on book two!”
Wait… What?!
There are no words for how upset I was. As someone who’s studying animation and illustration in my spare time, I know how much work it takes to create an image that accurately expresses your idea. And Abigail’s characters and illustrations so perfectly show her positive spirit, her ideas, each drawn in her undoubtedly unique “only Abigail could make this” style. I was distraught. How could this happen? How could this person do such a ridiculous thing? Could they not see how much care and effort went into this body of work? And how could Abigail not be more frustrated, depressed, or ticked off? All those hours of creation lost! Better yet, how could she not have been more responsible and put her work somewhere a little safer?
Every time I’d see Abigail in the hallway, I’d ask again, “Did y’all find it?” but to no avail. It finally occurred to me that Abigail was handling this far better than I was, and that I was the one who needed to let go, if not for myself, for her. She was excited to begin her next idea, and she, the ten year old, was consoling me. Beyond proof of accomplishment or product, Abigail reminds me of one simple truth: joy lies in the doing of whatever it is you are excited to discover, create, or achieve. I continually think of what I should have done, should have accomplished, should have proven, which not only strips any joy from the process but also does a number on my resilience. I hope to learn from her wisdom because she’s following her curiosities and enjoying every step of the way, and with this mindset, she still has a lifetime of joy and discovery ahead of her!