I recently watched a video that said being in an elementary school class is like being part of a little "found, mandated family". I laughed in agreement. Yes- school is mandated and kids may not choose to be there, but many elementary schoolers would tell you they want to be there. And yes- it is a found family. These kids and adults spend 40 hours/week together for around 35 weeks each year. For some, this is more face-to-face time then they do spend with their actual family.

Because of this, teachers have a large task - to foster a sense of community and belonging while also giving kids opportunities to grow their knowledge in ways unique to them. Because of this, no elementary teacher or classroom is the same.

When you walk into an elementary school, every classroom will be different. Students from all backgrounds will sit at desks and tables and on carpets, all configured different. The teachers will be different, some young, some seasoned. It will sound different but it is rarely silent. There's a buzz that you hear as kids think "silently" (but are really muttering under their breath, unknowingly), as they talk to their elbow partner between instruction, as a GoNoodle plays loudly through the wall of a neighboring class, as they share their thinking proudly out loud to the class. But in all elementary schools, there is something that is always the same to me- an unwavering notion of hope.

To me, being an elementary teacher is "brutiful". It's brutal! Curriculum changes often, there's required testing to be done, parents get angry, some students are still learning their bodily signals... which may mean blood, barf, or bathroom accidents. But it's also beautiful. Nothing says "I love you" quite like a smashed dandelion bouquet from recess or a half eaten bag of Doritos leftover from snack. There is wonder and excitement as kids learn how to skip-count and learn how to write their name in cursive. There is hope that even though our phones are constantly pinging with bad news, someone cannot wait to tell you about how they learned to ride a bike over the weekend. It is a special privilege to be in the world of kids as their world grows larger than they could ever imagine.