Fellow educators, as you return to school this fall, please remember that home for some of your students never was their safe place.

For some kids, school was that safe place. But returning there after being at home for so long may not bring that overwhelming sense of security like it used to.

Some have been stuck in a place where they’ve felt unnoticed, unloved, unwanted, and uncared for. They may have been there for so long they see every adult as the enemy.

They may come to school already in defensive mode. They may lash out. They may freeze up and not do a darn thing. And they might do that because they don’t feel safe.

Give them a reason to trust you. Give them several. Love them and notice them and learn to recognize the signs every day that tell you they’re feeling overwhelmed.

You can earn their trust. But understand that the process might not be quick. They’ve drawn a line in the sand after dealing with the adults that have failed them. The thing about that line, though? It’ll follow you every step of the way.

You may think all is well and you’ve earned their trust, but that line will most likely stay right behind your feet even after you’ve marathoned past it. One act of unkindness will put you right back on the other side of it.

So please be patient with your students. Be kind, be loving, be understanding, be careful. They want to trust someone. Give them a reason for that someone to be you.

Oh, and advocate for these kids. If you see other teachers not being as understanding as you, say something. These kids need an ally. Be that ally.