The Day After

“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the UNITED States of America…”

This was the way I began my day after the election.
Standing in sync with 11 ELL (English Language Learners) that represented 6 different countries, pledging allegiance to their country, my country.

What was going through their minds?
Pride? Happiness? Relief? Safety? Fear?

Then the thought hit me. That this was a safe place to be today. In a classroom where a teacher had created a place where fear is accepted, pride of country is encouraged and happiness is celebrated.

So it made me think…
It takes a teacher to sometimes make sense of a nonsensical world.
It takes a teacher to quiet the fears of a student whose family may have to split up.
It takes a teacher to lead with a calm voice and remind them that this is not like any country in the world. This is America and we are different.

As we all try to make sense of this historic election, we can be grateful that we can send our children the “day after”  to teachers who will give them comfort, strength and unity.

 

There have been many of those “day afters”. The assassination of JFK, the Challenger explosion, 9/11 and now this. We have entrusted our children to teachers to pick up the pieces, calm the souls, quiet the hearts.

I, for one, am grateful to the teachers of this country that will be there for our children for many “day afters” yet to come.

So tomorrow, instead of expressing fear, and doubt, go hug a teacher. They need all of the encouragement they can get!