Check on the teachers, they aren't okay.
Check on the teachers, they aren't okay.
Teacher burnout is closing down schools. What is a “smile file?” And can it be used as a tool for rejuvenation?
Hi, Y’all.
I’m Tim Villegas.
This is a Public Service Announcement: Teachers are not okay.
If you are an educator, I see you. You’ve had a tumultuous couple of years. If you are not an educator, take this opportunity to check on your teacher friends or, if you have kids in school, on their teachers.
This week, the New York Times reported that
After a few months of relative calm, some public schools are going remote — or canceling classes entirely — for a day a week, or even for a couple of weeks, because of teacher burnout or staff shortages.
So, for this edition of the Weeklyish, I wanted to breathe some encouragement into you as we wind down 2021.
It is inevitable at certain points in your career as an educator that you will question, “Why did I become a teacher?” The demands of the job, the expectations and responsibilities that are placed on you, and often the lack of support are all draining to the point of feeling hopeless. But there was something that I learned early in my career that always gave me a boost. And it just might be what you need to get through the end of the calendar year.
When I first moved to Georgia from Southern California in the summer of 2008, I had taken a job as a special education teacher in a classroom for students with significant disabilities. During my preplanning for the next school year, I attended what was called a “New Teacher Institute.”
And for those of you who are wondering, Why did you even take that job, Tim? Didn’t you already believe that inclusive education was the right thing to do? Yes, and I also thought that I could make some change inside a system that segregated students by disability.
The “New Teacher Institue” instructor shared with us something I would never forget. It was something called a “smile file.”
A “smile file” is very simply a folder where you put anything that reminds you of why you wanted to become an educator and brings a smile to your face. The instructor told us that when times are darkest, and it is certainly a dark time for many teachers right now, you can get out your “smile file” and reflect on the joys of your job.
So, what kind of things did I put in my “smile file?”
Well, I’m so glad you asked.
There are a number of things but I have three specific items I wanted to share with you.
The first is a thank you note from a student from even before I was a teacher, circa 2003. I was accumulating hours in an elementary school classroom for an introduction to education course and the students all wrote me notes when my time was over.
It is a folded card made of out blue paper with a Spiderman sticker and a crayon drawing of “Mr. Villegas and Alex.” Inside is written:
Mr. Villegas,
Thank you for everything that you did for me. I miss you. I want you to stay.
I want you to be my dad.
Back in 2003, I didn’t realize that this note was going to be in my “smile file,” but I kept it around because it reminded me that you don’t know what kind of impact you are having. And honestly, this is still a great lesson for me, even now.
The next item is a note from my mentor Gail, who was someone I worked with on an inclusion project for students with significant disabilities for the Georgia Department of Education.
I had just given a presentation on inclusive education to the staff at my school, Kincaid Elementary, and she was writing to encourage me. This was from 2011 (I believe).
This is a card, it looks like stationary with Gail’s initials on it, and inside she writes:
Dear Tim,
I wanted to say again what a great job you did presenting to the Kincaid faculty last Tuesday. You are truly one who can, is, and will continue to make a difference in the lives of people with significant disabilities.
[In the card she writes a quote but I don’t know who the author is.]
“People don’t buy what you do but why you do it. The goal is to get people to buy what you do because of why you do it. If you don’t know why you do it, you can’t get people to buy it.”
You know why you do it!
Gail
I appreciated this reminder because I often thought that if I could just get enough people to buy into my vision for inclusive education at my school, we could see some change. What I realized was that we did make change happen, but it doesn’t last without leadership that continues the vision.
And the final item in my “smile file” is a note from a friend and colleague, Patty. This one is from 2014. I had burned a CD of my first podcast interview with Julie Causton for Think Inclusive and given it to her to listen to. Here is her response. It is long, so this is only an excerpt.
Hey, Tim,
First and foremost please accept my apology for taking so long to listen to the podcast you gave me.
I had never heard of Schools of Promise before so that in itself was enlightening.
The overwhelming message I got from this podcast was this: We need to bring services to the students and not the students to the services!
I LOVED it when Julie stated that nowhere in the law does it state that students have to be on grade level in subject areas. But it does state that modifications and accommodations ARE the law. And I also love that the whole point of special education is to provide services to same AGE LEVEL kids. How awful we must make children feel when they are with peers not of their same age.
I’m interested in learning more about inclusion as a whole school model and would like to read her book for gen ed and spec ed teachers. Have you thought of doing this at Kincaid? No more pull out? No more small groups? Everybody together?
Thanks for inviting me to listen in.
Patty
Wow. Even reading this now, I’m reminded of my why. Why I wanted to start Think Inclusive in the first place.
I don’t believe educators start out wanting to segregate students with disabilities into special classrooms. But their mindset and how our educational system is set up is a huge barrier. So again, just reading these few notes has given me the inspiration to keep going.
I hope that these examples bring to mind items that you would keep to remind you of your “why.” And if you aren’t a teacher, make sure to check on teachers in your life. They may need a note of encouragement.
So let’s hear from you. What would you put in your “smile file?” I’d love to know. Respond in the comments section below or email me at tvillegas@mcie.org.
Thanks for your time and attention.
And remember, inclusion always works.
Tim
ICYMI
Anyone Can Learn: 3 Things About Supporting Students with Disabilities I Learned from Remy the Rat
6 Things You Didn't Know about MCIE
Structural Ableism is a Barrier to Inclusive Classrooms
In The News
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Pandemic’s Strain On Special Education Services Grows Critical
Justice Department Finds School District Violated Law By Restraining, Secluding Students
UN disability rights treaty was Dole’s unfulfilled wish. Will his death spur action?
What I’m Reading
What I’m Watching
What I’m Listening To
If you like music, I typically publish my favorite albums of the year on Twitter and my personal blog. Here is my nearly complete list, if you want to get a head start on my picks for 2021.
What’s in my Timeline
From the Wayback Machine
Seeing Inclusion in Action Can Be the Spark to Systems Change
