Elevated Experience
Dear Teacher,
Several years ago, I was in Indiana Conference interviewing for a job. As I had traveled from out-of-state, I stayed at the local Hampton Inn, complete with standard queen bed and continental breakfast. With the interview heavy on my mind, I went down to grab a bagel, with plans to bring my to-go plate back up to my fourth-floor room. As it was, I balanced the breakfast in one hand and punched the elevator button with the other, ensuring the doors stayed open long enough for myself and another guest to enter.
Inside the elevator, with the deafening sounds of silence other than elevator cables pulling, I feebly attempted to make small-talk. I asked the guest where he was from and what he was doing in central Indiana. He shared with me that he was performing a music gig at a local casino. I, in turn, shared with him that I was visiting to interview for a job. Then, just prior to the dinging of the fourth floor chime, I tossed out a clumsy joke about how maybe we can someday travel in style using the tour bus I'd spotted in the parking lot.
Walking back to my room, it hit me all at once. That tour bus was HIS! That "gig at the local casino" had been a CONCERT. My fellow elevator companion had been none other than HUEY LEWIS! Yet, I'd been so busy with my own personal business that I'd missed the opportunity for a truly amazing elevator moment.
And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, have tons on your mind every day. You're swamped with parent emails, student teacher shadows, ungraded papers, and undeveloped lesson plans. You're balancing your educator role in one hand and your personal life in the other. You're opening opportunities for students, while trying to navigate decision-doors for yourself.
Very likely, with all that is on your mind, you make feeble attempts at connection. You may listen long enough to respond. You may hear only what you want to hear. You may do distracted-distancing in order to get to where you really want to go.
However, when the truly amazing moment is right in front of you, hit the 'pause' button. Slow down the work machine so that you can truly connect and engage. Plug into the student right in front of you. Offer real investment so the student knows they're your top priority. Take time ride the ride alongside your class so that you can have a truly elevated experience together.
Riding the floors with you,
Christian Educator & School Counselor