I’ve noticed a trend lately, where school leaders downplay how stressed and overwhelmed teachers are, I think in order to stay positive. But I think we can’t do that. We need to honor and name how hard this is, and put all of our focus into making this year sustainable.

When I was going through some of the hardest years of my adult life, I had a friend who, every time I saw them, would open their arms and say, “lay it on me.” I said the same painful complaints I had been saying for years, and they never tried to tell me it wasn’t that bad.

It helped to be able to get the hard stuff out, even if they couldn’t fix it. I think we need to give this space to each other this year, with grace and a sense of humor. Embrace the existential despair of 2020 as we strive to foster conditions that alleviate it.

I have deep empathy for school leaders: it’s an impossible position in many ways. Everyone is mad at you. And you may not have a whole lot of control. It might help to just admit how hard this is and join us n the struggle. There is deep positivity in feeling and struggling well.

Earlier I referred to this post without citing @sheathescholar in the tweet and that was wrong, as it equals not citing their work. https://padlet.com/sheathescholar/ananonymousteacher">https://padlet.com/sheathesc...