When I was a teacher, someone shared something pretty insightful with me. I don’t remember when in my career this was shared with me. Or what the circumstances were. But it has been stuck in my brain ever since. 

They said don’t feel proud or “better than” when your class acts out with a substitute teacher. A GREAT teacher is one where the class is respectful even when their teacher is gone. 

It’s not necessarily what you are able to do when you’re WITH your students. It’s what you can instill in your students so that they can take that forward and learn how to respect others.

I was thinking about that a lot today. 

I took a self-care day and Auntie Bella came over to be with Ishu for most of the day. 

As I was tying my shoelaces, Ishu walked up to me and said, “Bye Mama. Ishu go to park with Auntie Bella” as he kissed me on the cheek.

He waved to me, knowing full well that I was leaving the vicinity.

It had me thinking back on that piece of wisdom someone shared with me. 

And that somehow – between Auntie Bella and Ishu and I working together – we have created this world where I can step away and trust that things will remain in order. Obviously, it’s normal to have your toddler cry after you and want his mama. But, when you’ve created a solid system with some solid people…and the reminder that “mama always comes back,” things function so beautifully. 

Obviously, there are a few differences between a sub and a classroom and a caregiver and a toddler. You don’t always know that the person stepping into your classroom is going to know how to handle the things thrown at them. But I know – for certain – that this little monkey is in great hands with Auntie Bella. (Especially when I ain’t be leaving any sub plans. Ha). 

Yesterday, when he waved me away, I realized that this is another area we have grown in. The place we are in right now…it was established with consistency and repetition and trust that I’d always come back. But, most of all, I think it got to where it is now because, no matter the adult in charge of Ishu, he knows that, with them, he is safe and oh-so-loved.