The Belief System

The Belief System

December 27, 2018

Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

My son recently turned 10 the other week. Being around 10 year olds daily, and having been one myself for 365 days, I’ve noticed something different about him. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s something that I hope he never loses, because as we climb the ladder of life, many of us let go of this quality. I truly feel that if we all held onto the quality of BELIEF we would all live much richer, happier, and magical lives.  

My son has always loved seeing characters in costumes. It didn’t matter where we were at, if he saw a character stroll by, escorted by high school security in polos, he was all eyes and nothing would break his focus away until he got to meet them. We’ve been blessed to travel to Disney World a few times these last couple of years. It doesn’t matter how many times he has met a character or which one it is, he will want to wait in line, get a photo, and autograph. His sister, who is 7, has somewhat lost the luster when it comes to meeting characters. I honestly think she may have found a time machine and is turning 17.  

Now we have never told my son that these characters are just people in costume. We assumed at his age he was aware of this. His older sister (actually younger, but you know that if you’ve been reading) seems to know. Our last trip to Disney that all changed. He was told (don’t worry, it wasn't by me or my wife), “You know, those are just people in costumes, like you and me.” You could see a little of the magic leave his eye and float towards the sky like Tinkerbell in flight. A few weeks later we attended an annual Santa breakfast, one that has at least 10 characters moseying around for kids to meet. On the way there my son said, “I’m going to be like a big kid and focus more on the games this year.” I'd be lying if I told you my heart didn’t sink a little. I felt like an anchor was tied around it, quickly descending towards the water’s floor. It was after an hour passed that he whispered to me, “Dad, I want to go meet some characters now.” As soon as he went up to the first one, I saw that smile cover his face and a sparkle glimmer in his eye! I knew he still had the belief and that he was just trying to do what the “older” kids did.  

My assumptions were reassured once Elfie, our Elf on the Shelf, came back to visit this holiday season. My son would race downstairs every morning to see where he was hiding. He would greet him every morning, letting him know how much he loved him and couldn’t wait for Santa. Speaking of Santa, one day my son was making some very poor choices, to put it politely. I told him we weren’t going to get anything for Christmas. His reply, “It doesn’t matter Dad, Santa brings the presents, not you.” Even though I was as fuming, I felt that chain on the anchor to my heart give a little. I knew he still had the belief.  

My son’s unwavering belief in characters and the miracle of Christmas has helped me to understand that at no matter what age, we all still want to believe. Where is the rule book that states once you hit a certain age you are no longer allowed to have fun taking pictures with characters or racing to see where your household elf is hiding?  Where is it written that our imagination has to die as we age?  As educators, we must continue this magic, this belief our students possess when they are young. They deserve to have that childhood innocence, regardless of what grade they’re in. There is power in magic, there is power in belief. It’s up to you to keep it going and watch what miracles unfold in your classrooms and schools. 

Baggage Claim

Baggage Claim 

December 10, 2018

Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

Curbside baggage check is phenomenal! It’s such a great feeling to get dropped off at the airport, walk about 10 feet, not even breaking the airport’s threshold, and free yourself from the heavy bags containing everything that’s going to make you look your runway best during a getaway or business trip. Airports have this service because they know that prior to our flight we should be at our gate with time to spare, getting comfortable. Dragging these bulky, heavy suitcases around would be like driving with the parking brake on, slowly inching towards our destination.  

This is why many, if not all employers, tell their employees, “Check your baggage at the door before coming into work.” Of course, we do our best, checking our main suitcases before parading through the doors, but there’s always a small carry-on we’re allowed to bring. The carry-on is great, it’s got some necessities we need and those items that are going to either expand our minds, or at least distort them for a little while. We’re all human, and no matter what our role is, we’ll more than likely always have a carry-on item when entering work.  

This blog isn’t going to be about checking our baggage before beginning the day of a motivator for our students. Many of us do this and have no issues with it, especially if we are all in for our kids every day. What I want to examine is why it’s crucial to check our baggage on that flight home, when returning to family and friends after a trying day at school. My reasoning for investigating the benefits of checking luggage for the flight home is because it is one that I am struggling with greatly this year.  

Being educators, we hear, see, and encounter stories that are unfathomable. We deal with unrealistic mandates from up above that seem to make our jobs feel like we were set up to fail. The walls that parents put up, questioning what we do, can make the strongest educator question their longevity in our noble profession. The return baggage is always heavier than when you first left for your trip (especially if you have kids and get them some souvenirs!).  

We must, without a doubt, check this returning flight baggage. I have not been doing that this year. I have been bringing it with me, and it is not only affecting me, but the people I love the most; my wife, my son, and my daughter. I’ve been shorter with them, distant, and inattentive at times. This isn’t fair to them. They need me, just as much, if not more, than my staff, students, and parents at school. This isn’t daily, and has only really been the last few weeks, but carrying that baggage home with me once is too much. I have been giving my all for my students, staff, and parents. Now it’s time to ensure the loves of my life are still getting 110% of me.  

Being in the field of education we carry many roles. We have many, many individuals counting on us daily, both at home and in our classrooms. A great resource is Balance Like a Pirate by Jessica Cabeen, Jessica Johnson, and Sarah Johnson. It has great strategies to help find that balance. I also recommend checking out the #BalanceLAP group on Twitter. It’s a great support to remind you that you’re not alone.  

Please make sure that you are not limiting what someone is getting from you. Your students deserve all of you, your family deserves all of you, and YOU deserve all of you. It is important to find that balance where you are giving your all for everyone, including yourself.