What really counts

Winter in Maine is a combination of danger and beauty; a delicate force not to be taken lightly. The indescribable beauty of gently falling flakes can quickly turn into the powerful storm which can wreak havoc. Aware of it or not, teachers have the same power as the winter storm, either providing encouragement and inspiration or contributing to the storm which many students are struggling to weather. Being human ourselves, dealing with our own trials and tribulations, at times it is possible to become entangled in the politics and controversies which are common place in public education. Often it is in the smallest moments, where the students become the teachers, reminding us of what really matters in life. As I stood today, watching my sixth graders roll down the embankment of snow, laughing and having the time of their life, it was a gentle reminder, that they are what really counts. Their simple appreciation for the little things brought a smile to my face, erasing all of the negatives and replacing it with a renewed energy.