President’s Letter

MEA PRESIDENT'S LETTER

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What we don’t often think about, though, are the changes—the very

positive changes we make

in the lives of the students with whom we work.

As educators, we are constantly faced with change—we may have schedules, but at any moment, a lesson can take an unexpected turn, a child can react in a way we didn’t anticipate, an alarm could go off— " As I have traveled around the state for the past few weeks, at first the changing leaves were hardly noticeable. Then, seemingly overnight, there were brilliant displays of golden yellow, glowing orange, and fiery red (red…our favorite color, right?). It is certainly yet another of Maine’s treasures, these spectacular displays of autumn foliage. But you know the saying—the only person who really likes change is a baby in a wet diaper. Change is usually difficult. Change nearly always presents challenges. Change can be uncomfortable or even deeply disturbing. As much as a change in routine may sometimes be refreshing, predictability is comfortable. I recently visited the school I am on leave from, curious about recent renovations to the building. It was still familiar--and reminded me how much I miss being in the classroom!—but it was also a bit unsettling to see that changes had taken place, even though they certainly were improvements! It just felt a bit strange. Sometimes change is much more than strange, though—even alarming! Dare I mention “climate change”? As with the foliage, most of us might hardly have been noticing it until recently. Now, we hear about it daily. And the worry is raising anxiety levels in not only children but also adults. If we are even to slow it down, we all have to make changes, many of them significant, in our routines and habits.

any number of changes, small or big, occur throughout the day and, of

Changing Seasons

course, throughout the year, from year to year. In this position now, as your President, change is also a constant. Not a day has gone by without a call or an e-mail or a visitor that altered the plan or changed the order of priorities on the never-ending to do list!

What we don’t often think about, though, are the changes—the very positive changes we make in the lives of the students with whom we work. These changes are gradual, too—often too gradual for us to really notice, but they are there, I guarantee you! You, each one of you, make a difference in a child’s life every single day. You may not know that until years have passed—you may never be made aware of it— but know that you matter. It is both the most rewarding part of the work we do and the greatest responsibility we have. The 2017 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) found that one in every four high school students in Maine reported having had three or more Adverse Childhood Experiences. The 2019 survey results will be out later this month and we can only hope that the latest statistics aren’t as sobering. But it is also true that one caring adult can counteract the negative impact of A.C.E.s. Educators, in all our many roles, can and do bring about great changes for the better.

So let’s “get our red on”—let’s keep working for positive changes for our students, for our colleagues, for our communities. 2020 is fast approaching, and we have many changes and challenges ahead—but together we can face them and be successful!

Take care, stay well, stay strong—and enjoy the season. Thank you for all you do!