Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

The Teacher's Luncheon

6/13/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Image found on Pinterest.com
The room was filled with joyous laughter and happy chatter, as teachers sat at tables in the lunchroom swapping stories, summer plans, while enjoying a delicious catered meal. In the background, music videos streamed across the wall near the cake table, and every now and again, a lively or familiar tune inspired several people to dance in their seats. The end of a school year almost always comes with a wonderful sense of relief (at least for me), that you've successfully navigated another year of shaping young minds, inspiring new dreams, and generally preparing humans, be the small or large, for what comes next...which won't always be pretty. One-hundred and eighty days of pouring the best you have into the minds of our future is tough work, no matter what anyone thinks about the process (...I am reminded of that foolish saying, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach", which is a completely ridiculous sentiment). Sometimes I still feel very new to this profession, even though I've been an educator, in some capacity or another, for eleven years. I can say, however, with confidence, that I have come to tremendously admire most of my colleagues, and always attempt to learn as much as possible from them. Today, they taught me a most unexpected lesson, in patriotism!

As I spoke to the teacher sitting beside me, the National Anthem (Whitney Houston's version) came up on the song playlist that was running in the background. Without thinking, I stopped and stood by my seat. The third grade teacher sitting across from me turned to me and asked quite sincerely, "Should we stand?" I wanted to kiss her, but held that desire in check as I nodded. Without question or hesitation, she stood. Not a moment passed before the entire cafeteria was silent, everyone standing, most of them with hands over their hearts...and in that instant, I feel more deeply in love with this group of educators than I already felt. These people, whom I've worked with for nearly two years...laughed with, vented to, and listened while they shared their own frustrations, every one of them payed their respects to our Old Glory and all she represents. Here was this delightful group, in this humble, rural place, a photo snapshot of typical smalltown America, pushing pause on their celebration and reminding me of why I am so very proud to BE an American. I thought of my military family, spread out around the globe, my Freckles at the beginning of her Navy flight school, and of all the people who are so very passionate about their pride for what America is supposed to stand for. I wished, in that moment, that the whole world could see and feel the power and depth of solidarity that permeated around that room.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery