This month our blog has been written by Kelly Briggs, First Year College Advisor at Great Basin College.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time …
For over forty years, August has meant the beginning of the year to me. Others may celebrate in January, that has always felt arbitrary to me. August is the season of new beginnings, new opportunities. A time of promise and hope. It is, for me, the best of times.
You see, I was one of those students who hated summer break. School gave me a purpose. It gave me structure. It gave me stability. It gave me what I craved most – the chance to learn. School can be a safe haven for many students. A place to feel seen. A safe place. A place with consistent meals. A place where they can escape from their troubles.
Unfortunately, for some, August is the worst of times. Return to school means a return to frustration when they try their best but it just isn’t enough. A return to feeling like something is wrong with them because they aren’t like everyone else. A return to bullies. A return to a place they don’t feel like they belong.
So, as we return to our classrooms this fall – we need to be conscious of what this means to our students. Is it their best of times? Or their worst of times? And to wonder why? For me, it was the best of times for the best reasons. For others, it is the best of times for the worst reasons.
Education has the power to transform lives. We are privileged to be a part of that. But we also have a responsibility to show up for our students and do our best for them. We can’t be everything to everyone – but if we are lucky, we will make a difference for some. And that makes it amazing.
