This teacher explains how she will deal with the new school year:
I have been practicing mindfulness as a way of combating much of the stress I anticipate for the coming year.
I’m not going to overthink the coming year. It will unfold itself. No point in stressing what hasn’t happened yet.
One doesn’t know what’s coming. I’m starting my 13th year in pre-k in the same school. No one is going to push me out before I’m ready to go.
What I noticed at the end of the school year last year and over the summer is that the suits have no clue what they are supposed to do. They are working in the dark almost as much as we are. I will insist that they provide guidance for every initiative they want me to do and ask them to model for me. I will document every discussion we have. I intend to have a long paper trail.
And I will teach my students as though we are at Sidwell Friends.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This is a wise and compassionate teacher. May the force be with her!
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Dear teacher sister/brother, as I read and absorb your advice, and wish you well for all of it, may I respectfully add one more idea for your consideration? It’s a big part of my school year:
“I will be mindful that next door, down the street, and across the country thousands and thousands of teachers like me are trying to do the same thing, for the same reason. Because children are our focus. Because we love and care about them and their families and our communities. Because we have to protect them from the suits, who are trying to spread darkness over the areas where we are devoted to bringing light. And since there are far more of us than of them, despite their billions and their government support, when we join together, we can turn around the darkness and take back our profession and build our schools. So I pledge to build bridges to my colleagues and to the parents and communities that care, so that we can become a mighty force on behalf of our children. For example, I will embrace the courage and determination of the Chicago teachers as they prepare to do battle for all of us. I know this year will present challenges, but I am not alone. And I know in my heart that right is on my side, on our side, and because we do this for children, we must and will prevail.”
Thank you, dear colleague. I will think of you as I welcome my middle-school children into my classroom, knowing you are bringing the same spirit to your younger, lucky students.
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That is beautiful…you brought tears to my eyes. This is the key–teachers educating those beautiful minds and being there for each other. That is just what those suits are trying to destroy–us banding together. I almost feel like we are the new civil rights movement. Our students are in danger of losing their civil rights-the right to an education.
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Beautiful! Now that’s a model for the year!
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Beautiful! I am trying to do just that. My mantra is, “It’s all about the kids. It’s all about the kids.” But some days it’s hard.
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Well said, the key is that we (teachers across America) ban together. Keep all of our colleagues together in mind, spirit, heart and soul.
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While I appreciate the thoughtful seriousness of this teacher’s plan, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her plan to ask “the suits” to model the teaching methods they demand. A YouTube channel devoted to those demonstrations might help provide the humor we’ll need to go forward.
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Yes, let the suits try it – not as a one time bells and whistle presentation with hand-picked students and plenty of support, but as an ordinary classroom teacher for a sustained period of time. Some teachers make that look easy, but it isn’t.
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My suits were never teachers. I can’t wait to see them present a lesson. So far they haven’t been silly enough to try dictating methods to us, but they were new last year. We will see what this year brings. I’ve always lived by the motto of when I no longer support the organizations goals I will leave. That gets harder as you approach 60 and have a family. It is still about the kids though! Thanks for reminding us we aren’t alone. The thought sustains P.O.W.’s and it can sustain teachers!
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Here come the suits…hand them the lesson plan, the roll book and the seating chart. Welcome them to the class and to reality!
To all of you, have a great school year!
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