Last Thursday, we returned from our yearly trip to the Iowa State Fair, being dusty and tired.

#butwhatithot

Actually, other than Monday, when we went Des Moines to set up the display in 90-degree heat with ungodly humidity, the rest of the week was surprisingly cool (cool being upper 70s to lower 80s with little humidity). All in all, it was very pleasant to be in the barns and while we didn’t win anything, we didn’t come in last and did a lot of laughing and catching up with various “show friends” from around the area.

We crashed on the couch when we came home Thursday night and the Olympics were on, so we watched! In one of the segments they give brief insights into the athletes, which is always cool to see where they’ve come from to be an Olympian. After that segment, one of the announcers said, “It’s all about the stories.”

#damn

I know! We’ve been racing around the last two weeks, with the county fair, Irish Fest, moving a daughter, waited for pictures of another daughter getting married (WHOLE different post – we didn’t attend because no one did – like I said, whole different post), then down to the state fair. Every time we stopped, there was a story: My daughter’s cat using the litter box for the first time (we really didn’t need a picture, but ok), finding our way on a bike ride during Irish Fest, talking to my parents about our daughter’s wedding, listening to great music, tasting various Guinness products (the more I find out about this company, the more I love them), and listening to the stories of shows and cows and drama while at the state fair. it’s always been about the stories!

#whewIamtired

You and me both. We did not plan for this crazy two weeks really well, but that’s ok too!

Then I started thinking about school. How often have I been late getting into class because someone HAS to tell me the story of the baby brother or their cat or how their favorite basketball player is awesome?? Too many to count! However, that’s how we make connections, grow as people, and learn to tell our own stories, and gain our voice. And that’s ok too! I remember teaching sixth grade in my previous school where we’d stand outside our classroom (a pod of four rooms) and wait for the kids to come, talking and sharing. Those three teachers became great friends because of those few minutes we had before school. The kids saw us outside our classrooms, laughing and smiling, and knew, this was a place where people cared.

In my current position, I’m constantly back and forth from my classroom to my grade partners, talking with her kids just as much as mine because they all have stories to tell. This past year opened my eyes to just how different stories can be (I’ve learned A LOT about soccer) but kids are kids, they just want someone to listen.

And as teachers, why don’t we listen more often? I see too many teachers dismiss those storytellers for various reasons. That’s when you get to see them as real kids, not just students. The more they know you care, the more they’ll listen and open up if those tough questions or conversations have to be had.

So, as a teacher who is entering his 30th year of teaching (I’m so old), don’t discount the power stories. They want to know your story, which is why I decorate my room with me, not a ton of edugarbage that they won’t even look at. That’s why I’ll stop and lesson and tell a story because, in the end, they’ll give me more knowing that I am a real person rather than “just a teacher”.

To the educators out there, enjoy your final days of summer break, and don’t be afraid to tell your story! 🙂