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March #SOL15 Day One

I visited a “writing pep rally” (as coined by a fellow slicer) before classes started at one of our schools this past Friday.  It was so thrilling to join this group of colleagues who were about to become very important to one another in a way that would be quite different from the every day of work life.

The excitement.  The anticipation.  The celebration.  It was in the air.

Everyone talked.  Many at the same time.

“I’m scared”

“I’m not a writer”

“I’m so excited to try”

“You’re gonna love it!”

“The community this writing builds is so awesome”

“We become so much closer through our writing”

“I love writing”

“I have a fear of commitment”

So many comments.  Ideas.  Fears.  Beliefs.

Some serious.  Some funny.  All earnest and sincere.

Our pep rally came to an end.  School was beginning.  Students began streaming into the classroom where we were meeting but quickly retreated when they saw a group of teachers sitting in their desks.  So respectful, these students.

I stepped outside the classroom and chatted with them as their teacher approached.  I learned that these students had been discussing taking on the same writing challenge that we were talking about only moments before.  And then, in a matter of minutes they were sharing, one by one, their writing plans with me.  Their teacher, a fellow slicer, asked each one individually to tell something they planned to write about during the 31-day challenge.  Without hesitation they began talking.  In the blink of an eye each student looked to me and revealed a little bit of themselves

I was overwhelmed.  These students exuded confidence.  A belief in their abilities.

I walked away from that experience feeling so lucky.  What better job is there in the entire world than to work with adults and children who believe in themselves enough to try new things even when they may be scared to death?   Of course, that’s mostly the adults who are scared  -but the example they are showing their students by not letting their fears stop them from embarking on this awesome life experience is priceless.

Cheers to you my friends.  I look forward to the next 31 days with you.  Let the writing begin!