The kindness of others

In the Gelug Tibetan Buddhist tradition there is a blue print so to speak on how to progress towards the mind of enlightenment. This is called the lam rim, or quite literally stages of the path, which is broken down into three big categories. If you know Tibetan Buddhism at all, you will then know these big categories are broken into smaller categories, which are then broken into smaller categories, which are broken into smaller lists of things, which are broken into... Anyway, embedded into the second big category, which focuses on compassion, are beautiful teachings on recognizing that the only way we can exist is through the kindness of others.

I have now finished my week and a half of official professional development and planning time before the school year, and will have my very first first day as a teacher with my own classroom. As I was sitting here contemplating what to write, my mind kept coming back to how amazingly kind a few teachers have been toward me, in trying to prepare and navigate the upcoming year. In many cases, these teachers aren't even the ones who have "been assigned to me," but have been incredibly generous with their resources, answering my infinite list of questions, or simply popping by to check in on me.

I must admit, I am surprised by the lack of guidance coming from the powers that be in terms of getting new teachers introduced to the building. There has been zero training on things like: how to use the gradebook, where to find IEPs, or fire drill procedures. Being who I am, I would much prefer to have had a 100 page book dropped on my desk that is like "This is how our building works," but holy cow there really hasn't been much of anything. This is where those incredibly kind teachers have stepped in, sometimes unprompted, just to make sure I know what's going on.

Going into this year, all teachers really don't know what is going on. Everyone has their own survival mechanisms. Some are in denial that things will be different, so they are operating as close to same old as possible, while others are in survival stress mode. Some are grumpy, some are collaborating, and some of us "youngin's" are just happy to have a job. I guess being brand new in this situation is helpful, because I'm trying to figure out and create everything for the first time, but I still don't know what I don't know.

Going into next week, I feel prepared and so unprepared at the same time. However, I couldn't have accomplished what I have so far without the kindness I have received from people who barely know my name and haven't even seen the bottom half of my face. The next few months are going to be stressful and crazy. As that popular Pinterest teacher board says, "Spread kindness like confetti." I am so grateful to all of the kindness spreaders.