Rule #5: Always Try Your BEST

I am a first grade teacher.  Many of you may know this because you know me personally.  Some may know this because of my often hilarious (at least to me) random moments/comments/stories shared from just another day in the classroom.  Others may know it because you've seen me in line at Target after 5:30pm on a weekday with marker on my hands or holding a classroom supply of animal crackers.  And many may know it because, well, I just told you.  So now that THAT's settled .......

I am just like any teacher.  Well, I'd like to think I bring at least SOMETHING different to the table.  But just like any educator out there, I have classroom rules.  You know, so the kids know what's up.  So they 1) listen, 2) raise their hand, 3) be kind, 4) take care of our things, and 5) always try our best.  Yep, those pretty much cover it all and, I've found, can relate back to any infraction that a kid can possibly break.  For example: "Tommy didn't flush the toilet!"  "Well, he wasn't being kind to the next person to park their buns on the seat now was he??"  or "He said my Mom is ugly!" "Well that's silly, and definitely not exhibiting kindness is it?  He doesn't even KNOW your Mom, does he?!  Because if he did know your Mom, he'd have said she was actually ..... did he say he was sorry??"  But when you think about it, rule #5 is the catch-all for rules #1-4 anyways.  Because if you're trying your best at all times, then you are listening, and raising your hand and being kind and taking care of our things and not calling Tiffany's Mom an old hag.

Which brings me back to me -- when do I always try my best?  I'm so quick to point out to my students when they are, when they aren't, and when they really should be.  When do I point out my own missed opportunities to be better than I am during any given moment?

Always try your best seems kind of like it would be a great life rule for everyone - no matter the age, no matter the race, and most definitely no matter the moment that you're currently facing.  There have been many times when I've heard my students say, in the face of defeat from a very tough spelling test mind you, "well, I tried my best!"  and walk away feeling as confident, as only they know how, that they did, in fact, do their best in that moment.  So why can't we adults do the same?  We uphold expectations for so many others in our lives, encourage them to never give up, pursue their dreams, fight the good fight etc etc etc.  Then when it comes to ourselves ..... we quit.  No more gas in the tank.  No more fight in the rink.  And then, when we actually do put up a fight, it's never good enough.  You know what we are?  Hypocrites.

Maybe we need to start looking through the eyes of a child.  Maybe it IS just about trying your best and smiling at the end of the day because you did.  Now don't excuse this train of thought as settling for LESS than your best.  I do believe there is a difference between the two.  Everyone has their own level of "best" and it's their responsibility to reveal it to themselves.  But at some point, you have to stop and smell the Crayolas.  You're worthy of trying your best, too.  And when you do, smile that you did and begin planning for your next moment to be better than the one you're standing in now.