Teach a man to fish?

Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a day. Give a man a fish, and he eats for a lifetime. This adage has inspired many of us to foster what we now call learner autonomy. However, we teachers know that a hungry kid can not focus. While profound, this adage can not be applied in today's classrooms. Well, at least not alone. Teachers must fill many social, emotional, and yes, even nutritional gaps that our kiddos bring into the classroom.

This is not a dis to the parents and family members doing their best. Nor is it a dis to those who aren't. It is what it is. However, I do think it is time to celebrate those teachers who feed the man so he can have the strength to learn how to fish (in our case the student(s)). Thank you to all the teachers who poured from empty cups.

Thank you to all the teachers with a stash of snacks, change of clothes, and toiletries for those kids who need them. Thank you to the teachers who step in for Moms who have passed and Dads who work 2-3 jobs to provide for their families. Thank you to the teachers who attend the volleyball, soccer, basketball, and tennis games. Thank you to the teachers who always have a minute to adjust our figurative casts, reels, rods, and bait.

Thank you to the teachers who always find a way to love a group of 20+ students with different needs, personalities, and abilities. Thank you to the teacher who uses their hard-earned money to make learning fun, accessible, and memorable for their learners. Thank you to the teachers who never expected a thank you. I hope this letter finds you. May Allah reward you in this life and the next.

Kindly,

Kalena