The previous post, written by a high school teacher who discusses quitting, resonates with me and Arts' Day. Yes, there is a link. Arts' Day, along with Track and Field Day, Winter Play day, field trips... any of those 'fun' days that extroverts seem to love to plan and then cherish to do... I HATED those days as a student. HATED THEM. I wanted more than anything to skip school on those days and stay at home. Why? I liked routine. I was good at playing the school game but not great at taking risks. Those days were so risky for me. Track and field and 'play' day - a time for me to show the entire world how much I SUCKED at any type of physical event. I was 5'10" by grade 6 and my arms and legs never seem to go in the direction I wanted.
Staying home was not an option. My parents forbade it. I had to vomit (copiously) or have a fever of 104 or show a broken bone. There was no, "I don't feel well." That was that. It was not a discussion; I was not in charge of those decisions, my parents were. "You will be fine when you get there," was a response I heard often. And, strangely enough, they were usually right. Not always. But, when my heart was pounding in my chest and I knew that it was my turn to grab the rubber chicken and run down the field and aim for the bucket (knowing I would miss), somehow I managed.
I didn't know it then, and I know my parents didn't realize it, but I was teaching myself perseverance. I was teaching myself strategies on how to cope with risky situations. I became a class clown, feigning that I meant to miss the rubber chicken bucket, or score on my own team's basket. I learned to laugh it off and suck it up. I was never chosen to be on a team. I was picked last in gym, almost always. I never went on a team bus or was good enough to go on a band trip. It was hard but I had other good qualities and I tried to focus on those.
I'm sorry Ms. Ray, but I still don't like participating in things like Arts' Day. I love my routine; my regular schedule that is safe and predictable. But, I know how important days like Arts' Day is, and it ISN'T ABOUT ART!!!! It's about taking risks. Walking into a room with a group of kids you don't know, listening to a teacher you haven't met before and doing something you may or may not be good at is horribly risky. And, so desperately important to do, so you realize that you survived at the end of it. You made it. Arts' Day happened, you were a part of it and lived to tell the tale.
These are just my personal thoughts. I dedicate them to all of the students who came to Arts' Day who hate days like this and to all of the parents who made their kids come (if you had to shove them out the door). I am so very proud of you.
Love,
Mrs. B