
“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.”
Emory Austin
Thank you, Spidey, for finding a wonderful quote exampling resilience.
I wanted to consider resilience with you all, today, after finishing my first week back to school, with the children.
We were faced with a whole school filled with children, the majority of which haven’t stepped foot inside the school building for over five months, and some, the youngest, who have never been to school, before.
I was dreading it.
Not only the safety aspect, but the wellbeing of the children.
- How many would come in distressed?
- Are they all going to be happy to be coming back to school?
- What might they have witnesssed, or experienced during lockdown?
- Have any children experienced bereavement?
- What backsteps have been taken, academically?
- How much work to we have to do to get them back on track?
Every single one of my 28 students came in. RESULT!
Only two cried on the first day. By Friday, after moments of tears, they were happy.
I can remember all their names. All of them.
I am already in love with my new class, and have identified my pickles already, but, what a bunch!
And in my capacity as EYFS Phase Leader, I had even more things thrown at me.
From a key member of staff going on early maternity leave, so having to train up a supply teacher, to taking part in my first interview process to find permanent cover for this teacher.
My teaching assistant being off sick (get well soon!), so managing twenty eight 4-year-olds, with one, not two helping hands.
Meeting with a parent regarding a new Special Needs pupil who will be joining, to try and explain why we need to take time to settle the child in.
Stepping in to assist the nursery, where there are at least five 3-year-olds who spent three hours screaming.
I’m eternally grateful to my team who have been genuinely amazing. They’ve picked up the slack where we are staff down, and all put the children’s needs before their own.
Having to assist with my special needs pupil from last year, who hasn’t taken this transition to another class well, at all.
Trying to digest a new set of paperwork that the Government were meant to have given us in July, regarding a new curriculum we are going to be using this year. (We got the paperwork on Thurday night… after school had already started. Great timing, Government Peeps!)
Alongside the pallaver of work being done in the house (OMG, the stress!), and sending my own two children back to secondary school, in a very different environment.
Appointments, cancelled or not, have been attended, rushing here and there after school.
It’s all been happening.
And yet, here I am, still standing, after the week.
Showing my resilience.
Sure, I’m tired. I’m drained. But I’m proud of myself. And I’m happy.
Still singing, even if the music isn’t playing.
So… tell me, do you consider yourself to be resilient?
Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week! ❤
Sep 09, 2020 @ 23:01:44
I held my first ZOOM meeting today (9/9) Only five showed up (out of 23), so I’m go ing to need a great deal of resilience. (And, of course, I forgot to record it!!!)
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Sep 10, 2020 @ 06:26:24
Oh, bless you! I’ve attended them, but we don’t use it for our learning, as mine are too young!
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Sep 08, 2020 @ 11:53:21
Hooray for a great first week of school, Ritu!!
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Sep 08, 2020 @ 20:02:19
Busy. Crazy. But great!!!
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Sep 09, 2020 @ 13:40:24
Super!
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 04:41:31
You’ve got the number one trait that all teachers need, Ritu. Heart! Your students are lucky to have you.
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 06:41:37
Thank you so much, Pete 💜
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 02:02:39
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 23:42:36
Be safe, My Dear!! I worry about you being back to work!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!
xoxo
😘💕🌹🌹
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 06:42:24
Thank you, Chuck. Things are okay, so far. Fingers crossed it stays the same 💜🤞🏼🙏🏽
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 22:00:28
Ok, I will cross my fingers for you, but still keep you in my thoughts and prayers – Plan B!!!
xoxo
😘💕🌹✨
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Sep 08, 2020 @ 06:35:49
🙏🏽💜🙏🏽🙏🏽
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 22:34:19
Super, Sis! I had no doubt you wouldn’t be thrilled. You’re just the born teacher. Nevertheless, I hope that your assistant will be back with you soon. I just imagine how much noise 28 four-year-olds can make?;-) Congratulations, stay save and enjoy the spare time whenever possible. Michael
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 22:47:04
It’s been an eventful start!!!!
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 11:43:49
Great to hear, Sis! Congrats to this. You next book title could be “Mom of 28”. 😉
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 12:33:45
Thanks Bro!
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 12:37:29
Always with a great pleasure, Sis! Enjoy your afternoon. Will asap also have a look for the “Chai and Chat”-posting.
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 12:39:02
🥳🥳
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Sep 07, 2020 @ 12:56:49
:-))
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 21:18:49
One day at a time, one week at a time. Glad your first week went well, Sister 💜🙏🏽
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 21:33:59
Thank you Brother. We got through it!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 21:46:13
You’re welcome, Sister 😊🙏🏽💜
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 14:23:12
Geez! That’s a lot to take on, especially during these unprecedented times. Great job Ritu! You deserve a box of wine and coffee! They’re trying to open the schools over here. I think it’s too soon with the way things have been going.
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 15:19:21
Thanks Lisa. It’s all crazy. No one really knows what is right and what isn’t… 🙏🏽💜
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 13:38:38
You are amazing and incredibly resilient. Keep up the good work. The world needs more Ritus!! Love the quote. I´m stealing it.
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 15:18:40
Thank you so much, Darlene 🙏🏽
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 15:48:35
🧡
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 13:27:17
Hi Ritu, I hope you’re well, just a quick reminder, I kind of need the video…
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 15:18:25
Yea. I’m doing it!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 16:22:43
Emailed you x
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 16:31:50
Replied!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 13:12:06
Wow! You’re something else, Ritu. Definitely fit for the job!! Trust you are appreciated. Put your feet up and take the rest of the day off! Go on..,, Hugs xx.
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 15:18:09
Thank you Joy. I’m trying to!!!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 09:44:47
Oh my goodness Ritu you’re a resilient lass! I am to a degree but I think I would crumble if I had all you had to do! It’s been a funny old time at mine. My eldest has gone off to teacher training at Strathclyde university in Glasgow. She seems to be settling in well but everything is online for the moment. Sigh.Youngest is here with her boyfriend. She goes back to university soon. Then it will be just hubby and I… x
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 09:53:08
It is a strange time, Sis!!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 09:31:48
That sounds like a week and a half. Here’s hoping that things get a little easier.
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 09:42:04
Thank you, April. Here’ hoping!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:53:56
Iain Dowie, one time manager of Crystal Palace FC was asked what made his lazarus like team so resilient and he said it was their bouncebackability – all one word which has made the dictionary, courtesy of Dowie. That’s me. Push me down, push be away but I’ll bounceback.
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 09:41:53
I love that word, bouncebackability!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:43:38
Someone once told me that if you don’t bend, you will break. These days though, it takes a miracle! Well done you!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:50:25
Thank you. I’ve become an expert at bending, over the years!!!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:22:55
Well Sis you have managed to survive an incredibly busy and complicated week, things can only get better. I hope things calm down to a constant buzz soon 💜💜💜
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:24:17
Thank you Sis. Once my staff are back in, that should help 💜
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:32:15
Yes I hope so, my eldest grandson 6 years, was delighted to be back at school and the youngest 3yrs starts nursary this week for for two and a half days so excited too 💜
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:50:48
I wish them a successful time back 💜🙏🏽💜🙏🏽
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:52:48
Thank you 💜
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 07:57:14
Whew! Well done. My middle grandson started school on Thursday – 2 hours. He’s doing 3 mornings next week – then to full time. Complicated times for teachers and parents!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:02:23
Thank you.
It’s certainly unlike any other time, isn’t it?
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 05:47:38
You are certainly a trooper. I couldn’t handle when my own two cried at the same time–there’s no way I could handle 5 crying at once. Or twenty-some to teach? You deserve to be spoiled like everyday is your birthday!
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Sep 06, 2020 @ 08:00:56
Aw thanks Rebecca. Teaching is a vocation, and I know it’s been my mission to teach small children, nurture them, and care for them 🥰
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