So Grateful to Learn
By JOHNA UNDERWOOD
Between highly publicized political battles about education and the continued post-COVID academic challenges, it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing on the negative. But the holiday season offers an opportunity to focus on the positive, reflect on what we’ve learned and be thankful. So, I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the many people who help make our Central Texas schools amazing.
First, to teacher colleagues and friends, I am grateful for your abundant patience, your generosity with your time and resources, and your insightful wisdom. In my nearly 20 years in education, I have worked in several school districts in Central Texas. And at each campus, in each district, I have found dedicated teachers who taught me almost as often as they taught their students. I have learned creativity from the teachers who found new ways to help struggling students. I have learned perseverance from the teachers who weathered the difficult years, and continued to focus on student success. And I have learned joy from teachers who celebrated even the smallest student victories.
Along with teachers, I have worked with school staff — administrators, counselors, office, technology, nutrition, transportation, custodial, and maintenance personnel — who are equally as impactful in the lives of our students. Teachers simply could not do what we do on a daily basis without their support. I am grateful for their extra time and effort that may seem to go unnoticed but is absolutely integral to the success of a campus and our students.
From all the people who are working behind the scenes in education, I have learned patience. The internet will crash, bad weather will make a mess of the floors and bus routes, students will have bad days, and there will always be practices, games, meetings, and events before, during, and after school. But time and again, the staff members show up, often taking time away from their own families, to fix, clean, feed, meet, correct and cheer on our students.
In each new community I have joined as a teacher, I have always found parents, guardians and community members who support their teachers and campuses. I am grateful for their willingness to partner with schools, providing opportunities for improvement and extension of learning experiences for students.
From them, I have learned that a school is not simply a building but is often the heart of the community. Whether it is parents who work with their students’ individual teachers, PTSOs and booster clubs who donate their time and resources to support student organizations, or community members who provide our students opportunities to learn and work in real-world settings, a school is most successful when in partnership with its community.
However, I am most grateful for my students. Whether they are sitting in my class currently or have in the past, each has impacted my life. From them, I have learned humility. Just at the moment you think you have a handle on how to do this job, a student will come along and challenge you to do it differently, do it better. My students have taught me to always be willing to learn. From them, I learn new slang, new apps and technology, and new ideas about the world. And every day, my students teach me to anticipate greatness. I may only get to watch them grow over a few months, but I am constantly amazed at their capacity to rise to challenges and accomplish incredible things.
Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.
