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On my desk sits these three jars of marbles and I can almost be certain that at the beginning of each school year they are one of the first things students ask about; “Wow Mr. Palmer, you must really like to collect marbles?”...This is my response…
“The largest holds exactly 936, the medium 312, and the smallest a mere 36. For me, these jars serve as a daily reminder of my ‘why.’ For each marble represents time, one week to be exact. 936 marbles = 936 weeks;
the total time in each of your childhoods from the day you are born to the day you turn 18, at first glance, a large jar with a lot of marbles. 312; the number of weeks you as sixth grade students have left when you turn 12 years old this year,
until you are told you have to be an adult.” It is at this point I hold up those two jars to wide and surprised eyes as the students get the concrete visual that, as large as a number like 312 may seem, when compared to the total 936, there aren't very many left.
The conversation continues… “This jar with 312 should hopefully help you realize that adulthood is closer than you think. And it is your responsibility to your future self to continue learning as much as you possibly can
to prepare and ensure yourself as successful a future as possible before this jar runs out and you are expected to ‘be an adult.’” At this point, many great conversations can be had and questions can be asked. But when they are done, we continue on…
“That leaves the final jar containing only a mere 36. The smallest jar, yet for me as your teacher, the most important. Looking at this at first, especially compared to either of the other two it seems nearly inconsequential, for if 36 marbles went missing from these larger ones
it would barely be noticeable. Despite its insignificant appearance however, what it represents is exactly the opposite and in fact serves as the most significant depiction of my “why.” For 36 is the total number of weeks that I get to be your teacher this year. 36.
And out of your entire childhood, 936, this is all I get to impart to you everything I can to help prepare you for when the 312 finally runs out. 36. This is exactly my ‘why.’ Why ‘it matters.’ Why it matters every...single...day. Why it matters every day that you come first.
Why I take as much time as possible to get to know. Why I encourage you. Why I push you. Why I challenge you. Why I teach you. Why I learn from you. Why I give you feedback. Why I listen. Why I eat with you. Why I play. Why I care. You are the reason I come to work every day
and you are the reason I am here. This jar. 36. It is all the little time I get to be the best teacher I can for you EVERY SINGLE DAY. And this jar should remind you that this is all you get to learn as much as can while within these walls. It is your job to open yourself
to learning and growing and make each marble matter for yourself. Be open. Be positive. Be proud.” ….Today I was in my classroom for the final time of this 2019-2020 school year. Today, for the first time in many months I sat truly reflecting on these marbles
and their meaning once again. It hit me that this year 24 was all we got out of the 36 we should have had. And even though we have been ‘distance learning’ I realized that it barely scratched the surface of what the other 12 should have been.
I sit, thinking, wishing, hoping, praying that the 24 was enough. That my students will remember those 24 and all they accomplished and the growth they made, and hopefully not resenting the other 12. The last 12 marbles have been hard. For me too honestly.
I think that I could have done more, should have done more. But I remind myself that these students this year were amazing. I know that it’s this amazingness that will help them continue to grow into the successful individual students they are.
I have no doubt that they will come out on the other side, smarter, stronger, prouder. They will become the next great generation. I know this because if they can make as big an impact on me as an educator in a mere 24 marbles
then they can change the world with all they have left. I will miss them. I have missed them. And today I am sad to have my final ‘see-you-later’ moments. But today I am also renewed and reminded that IT MATTERS whether from a distance or not
and I will strive to meet that goal as we all move forward into a new jar of 36 next school year. Be safe this summer students and families. And stay in touch, I want to hear all your successes well into the future. This goes for all students, past or present.
