My family and I planted a garden this weekend and it made me think about how each of us has been planted this year in our own school, wherever we may be around the globe.

 In our garden, each of our plants is so different, so unique, some provide food, while other beautiful colors. Some, like the bamboo need more water than others, while the cacti (Jaws, Spikey, Harry, and Horntail, as named by my two kids) need very little. Some trees are already producing limes and we even have strawberries. Our family must all work together to grow this garden. For even if one plant isn't getting what it needs and begins to wilt, the whole garden will not flourish. 

We want our whole staff at our schools to be successful. In order to do this we must work together  to support one another. How? If we see someone that might need a little extra boost (fertilizer or maybe even sheering-), help out, say an encouraging word, give a compliment, and watch how we all will grow! It is amazing how much sunlight a smile can bring. 

Collaboration and teamwork are keys to success. We have all been part of many groups and the extraordinary ones, research shows, all have certain characteristics in common. Extraordinary groups have a compelling purpose, shared leadership, just enough structure, full engagement, embrace differences, unexpected learning, strong relationships, and great results! (Bellman and Ryan, 2009).

I am excited to watch my new garden at home grow this year, but more importantly I am thrilled to be part of an extraordinary team at a school where each one of us is learning and growing together.

Best wishes to you and to your garden (or school) in which you chose to be part of this year. May you grow abundantly and may you also support others around you in creating a beautiful learning environment for all our students around the world to grow.

Dear Teachers,

Today is the first day of your new year. It will never happen again. Treasure it. Each moment. Each child. Each precious face. 

Today is the first day of your students' new year. They will never be in the same grade or the same age again. Help them to treasure it. Learn and remember their name. Comfort them and make them feel special from the beginning, so they will always remember your precious face. And create that important relationship that is the key to learning.

Today is the first day of a parents' new school year, too. You will always be their child's teacher. They will never have another teacher for their child at this age or in this grade. Smile. Greet them. Communicate from the beginning. Help them to treasure this time. This special memory. Learn and remember their name and yes, maybe even comfort them, too. And create that important relationship.

For everyone in our learning community it is a special time. As a Kinder, First, and Second Grade teacher myself I know first days with the little ones can be chaotic, stressful, crazy, but also full of great learning, caring, and the beginning of building a wonderful community and important relationships.

I wish you all the best as you begin this school year. We could be many other places around the world right now, but we chose to be right here in this school, in this learning community. Let's make the most of this year together learning and growing with each other, our families, and our new little ones! 

 To a great first day! 
Joy


aka Miss Joy, Mrs. Brooke, Dr. Brooke

If you have time, read the poem below, it was in response to a parent who read the letter "Dear Teacher" …You may need tissue-)




Dear Teacher 

I know you're rather busy 
First day back, there's just no time
A whole new class of little ones 
And this one here is mine

I'm sure you have things covered
And have done this lots before
But my boy is very little
He hasn't long turned four 

In his uniform this morning
He looked so tall and steady
But now beside your great big school
I’m not quite sure he’s ready

Do you help them eat their lunch?
Are you quick to soothe their fears?
And if he falls and hurts his knee
Will someone dry his tears?

And what if no-one plays with him?
What if someone’s mean?
What if two kids have a fight 
And he’s caught in between?

You’re right, I have to leave now
It’s time for him to go
I’m sure he’ll learn so much from you
Things that I don’t know

Yes, I’m sure they settle quickly
That he’s fine now without me
I know he has to go to school
It’s just so fast, you see

It seems like just a blink ago
I first held him in my arms
It’s been my job to love, to teach
To keep him safe from harm

So, when I wave goodbye in a moment 
And he turns to walk inside 
Forgive me if I crumple
Into tears of loss and pride

I know as I give him one more kiss
And watch him walk away, 
That he’ll never again be wholly mine
As he was before today.

Emma's words resonated so strongly with so many parents, it soon had over 12k shares on her Facebook page.

And it wasn’t long before teacher Leonie Roberts responded in the comments, with a lovely, reassuring poem of her own:

Dear Parent,

I understand that you are scared
to wave your child goodbye
and leave him in a teacher’s hands
don’t worry if you cry!

I’m used to weeping parents
It’s hard to leave I know. 
But it’s time to share him (just a bit)
To help him learn and grow.

Let me reassure you
That I’ll give your child my best
I’ll wipe his tears, soothe his fears 
And change his dirty vest!

If your darling child is full of cold
I’ll blow their nose all day
Just like you, I’ll care for them
In a special way.

I’ll treat him like I would my own
I’ll catch him from a fall and
If there is ANY problem 
I’ll be sure to tell you all.

It’s true he’ll grow to love us
They’ll talk of school a lot
It doesn’t mean they hate you
And that you should lose the plot!

I’ll tell you a secret..
That when your child is here
They talk to me as much of you
Of this please have no fear.

You’ll always be their mother
Whilst teachers come and go
To them you are their number one
This I truly know.

Soon you’ll see some changes 
In your little girl or boy
They’ll become more independent 
And to see this, it’s a joy!

I’ll teach them all I have to give
To share, climb and to write
But to you they safely will return
To tuck them in at night.

With love from a teacher…

Oh dear, we might just have something in our eye… <sob>