I think secondary education teachers may underestimate the power of Valentine’s Day in an elementary school setting. Having traveled up to teaching science in a middle school after teaching for seven years in 1st and 2nd grade, I brought many memories and lessons with me.
I was so surprised when Valentine’s Day in my middle school classroom didn’t include hundreds of pink and red cupcakes, creating heart robot boxes to collect carefully chosen cards, and random sugar moments throughout the day. After a day of heart themed curriculum, art projects, and of course the highly anticipated party where we pass out the special valentines, I would go home exhausted with arms full of sweet valentines and chocolate from my students. I was tired, but I felt so appreciated.
Valentine’s Day in my middle school classroom is different. There are more tears that day from unnecessary drama that luckily seems almost forgotten the next day. There are definitely more roses and stuffed animals roaming the hallways. You may receive the occasional thoughtful little card or note, but the excitement is more out in the hallway and in the cafeteria, than in the classroom. It is a little bittersweet. I don’t have to try to teach standards in the middle of a red, white, and pink explosion in my classroom anymore. However, I miss the sweetness of the holiday.
So this is my valentine to any teacher out there who is not surrounded by thoughtful notes and boxes of chocolates at the end of the day.
1. We “Beelong” Together: Teachers do belong together! Some of my best friends are my fellow teachers. I love when you meet someone that you don’t know yet and you can pretty much instantly tell they are a teacher too. We really do speak our own teacher language.
2. You Stole a “Pizza” My Heart: Does it ever surprise you how much room we have in our hearts for each one of our students? They make me laugh, smile, and sometimes shed some happy or sad tears. But at the end of each day, there are always moments to look back on that make my heart so happy! I hope you can always find at least one positive interaction from your day to reflect on. Even when students don’t always voice or write their appreciation, you are changing lives!
3. You’re One in a “Melon”: You really are! After teaching for the last 11 years, I’m constantly in awe of all of the teachers around me! We are creative, passionate, and able to do completely amazing things with the usual budget of zero dollars for classroom supplies! We stand up for our students, take care of each other, and keep our sanity in this constantly changing world of education.
It is important to remember that the craziness of the holiday will pass and will leave with it a trail of glitter, red hearts, and leftover valentines. But my teacher friend, don’t forget you’re “dino-mite!” We don’t need a box of chocolates and a handwritten note to make a difference. I hope you know how wonderful you are and make sure you do something kind for you this week!
Photo from Shutterstock
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Lisa Barnard
Lisa Barnard is a 6th-grade science teacher in the city of Flagstaff. She has experience in both elementary and middle school settings. This will be her 11th year of teaching and she loves inspiring a joy of learning in her students. She also mentors university students who are interested in becoming teachers. After earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, she went on to also get her masters in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist Endorsement. In her free time, she enjoys landscape photography, reading, collecting fossils, writing, and hiking around Arizona with her husband Nick and their two dogs.
Comments 2
No one warned me about the DRAMA involved with Valentine’s Day and 7th graders…. they don’t teach this in college!! OMG between the sugar highs, hyper 12 year olds, and multiple (albeit random) cries of “I’ll be alone forever!!” my day was a whirlwind of emotions. And that was just from me!! LOL
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Oh my goodness I know! I remember my first year as a first grade teacher and trying to manage that Valentine’s Day chaos! I had no idea in the morning that it would be crazier than Halloween!