Counselor’s Corner Issue 14

My friends,

Long ago I read a story...obviously this was LONG ago, since I have no time to read now!

Anyway, this story captured a much-too-familiar pre-dinner hustle wherein the author comes home after battling commuter traffic and grocery store lines. Sweaty and frazzled, she hunts her cupboard for a turn-key mealtime solution. Campbell's soup? Nope, no milk. Leftover baked beans? Scratch that; moldy. Completely frustrated, a foolproof, nutrition-free menu is chosen: Hot dogs and potato chips.

Flustered, she grabbed the potato chip bag, yanked on the cellphone wrapper and gave it a hearty pull. Instantly, potato chip went flying, leaving her standing in an ankle-deep pile of fried snacks.

"I can't take it anymore!" was heard throughout the house. Within minutes of hearing the frenzied female's scream, Husband-Of-The-Year appeared in the kitchen. He took it all in: The melting groceries and his melting-down wife. Without a word, he took a flying leap into the pile of chips, grabbing her hands to lead her in a dancing, pivoting, laughing response.

I think of you, Teachers, and how the 2019-2020 school year mess has left you sweaty, frazzled, and, at times, maybe near meltdowns. And yet, you've grabbed the hands of students, parents, and fellow-teachers. You've leapt into the challenge with full gusto. You've danced around ISBE reopening standards. You've pivoted to online learning platforms. You've laughed with your students.

Now, as we enter into 2021, I imagine you'll assess the damage -- not ground-into-the-floor potato chips, but rather the social-emotional damage and academic fallbacks of your students. And in order to clean up the Covid mess, YOU must be at your best. As we enter a new year, I hope you'll make it a New Year's Resolution to make self-care a top priority so that you can continue to dance on potato chips.

With much love and gratitude,

Mindy