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The image above makes me imagine metaphorically that I am that big green rock holding in balance the different colors of my students. Teaching is a delicate balancing act. As teachers, we must set goals for our students, individually and collectively. Our job is to get on the train every morning and move down the tracks to that goal. (Excuse the mix of metaphors.)
Sometimes one student can topple the whole balancing game. We must stop whatever it is we are doing and pay attention. Focus on needs rather than goals.
This week I had to call on a colleague for help. I was not meeting a student’s need, and I wasn’t sure where to go next. I had tried many directions, but none were working very well. This is humbling. However, I found strength and comfort in the shared experience. Reaching out when you feel defeated is tough to do. I am so grateful now that I did. My student is better for it. I am better for it.
My students write every day. Writing is a brave act. So different from answering questions or working out a math problem. Writing is personal and hard.
This week one of my goals was teaching essay. The kind of essay that testing will require in which the student writes about a literary element (in this case, theme) comparing two texts. We worked with a nonfiction article and a poem.
During a conference with one of my students, I read aloud to her what she had written. “Blah, blah, blah” was her response. “I can’t stand writing essays. They’re so boring!” After our chat, she typed up her boring essay. I had to laugh when I read it. She began with, “Hey, world. Listen here!” And at a later point, she wrote, “Now that is awesome!”
My students need to be able to express themselves. Sometimes these expressions come out in loud exclamations, quiet tears, or interjections. No matter the goal, needs may throw us out of balance, or may be the very thing to keep the balance.
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Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, thanks for writing an inspiring post on balance. This line, “Sometimes these expressions come out in loud exclamations, quiet tears, or interjections”, make me realize that in our personal and professional lives there are always moments where needs need to be met. It’s a fine balancing act when trying to chart a course.
[…] out the posts at Margaret Simon’s “Reflections on the Teche” for more ideas / thinking about […]
Love that there are so many ways to think about balance. I wonder if it helps to figure out balance in other aspects of our lives first?
4 words captured my heart “Writing is a brave act” I will be sharing this quote with my writers tomorrow.
I tried to a comment earlier but my iPad was acting up. Everyone needs a big green rock in our lives! Counting on colleagues in difficult situations helps all of us to stay balanced. I think Katherine Bomer would be proud of your student’s essay.
Thanks for the reminder that balance is not always achievable but can be restored with patience and effort. It’s amazing how miserable one can feel when life is “out of balance.” I am so glad you were able to help that student restore his/her balance, and reclaim your own.