So Summer time is upon us. With this season of warmer temperatures comes time for vacations. For the next several months many will be taking trips and having friends and family in from out of town. There will be swimming, Barbecues, trips to state and national parks, excursions to museums, and much more. For many, it is a time to rest and regroups, and rightfully so.
It is especially the case for educators. Our teachers and staffs have been hard at work shaping the future not just for our children, but, at least vicariously, for all of us. Not only have they been teaching the alphabet and algebra and reading, but also how to interact with others with kindness, compassion, and fairness. From learning how to take turns in pre-school to studying calculus in high school, our professional educators have been there all along the way, guiding our youth into tomorrow. And, it doesn’t stop there. For many, college has also been part of life, and the instructors, professors, and leaders at the institutions of higher learning have been hard at work, challenging young minds to grow and be creative in new approaches to ever expanding fields of endeavor.
As if all of this wasn’t challenging enough, our educators, who were once heroes for learning how to educate remotely during the pandemic, are now faced with constant challenges and accusations of indoctrination, politicization, and more. The very books many of us grew up reading are now considered inappropriate and are being pulled and tossed. The very teachers who had to learn how to educate young people remotely, and were heralded for their efforts, are now condemned for asking for reasonable wages. They are told they should feel lucky to just be teachers, thus causing many to leave education. (While this is happening, the burden is being increased for those who remain.)
I think we should remember something about Jesus. While he is God incarnate, he was also the greatest teacher. He taught us to love others unconditionally. His lessons included such topics as compassion, generosity, patience, and above all else, love. He did not just teach these things, but he also lived them, thus setting for us appropriate examples of how we to should live our lives in community.
So today, I want to thank all those who support and teach the youth, our leaders and doers of tomorrow. I pray that you are able to rest and regroup, and know that your efforts are noticed and appreciated.
In a larger sense, I also pray that everyone is able to take advantage of the summer months to breathe. Maybe you can’t travel any further than the front yard. That’s alright. Turn off the phone, and open a book. Watch the birds and squirrels. Walk the dog in peace. Sleep in once in awhile. Watch a movie with a family member or friend. (Don’t forget the popcorn.)
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