Tomorrow we go back to school.  First day back of a new year.  New hopes, new promises, new dreams.

So tonight I pray.

I pray for the students. 

The student who is glad to be back and the student who isn’t. 

The student who can’t wait to tell me about  Christmas and the student who won’t talk about Christmas. 

The student who has lots of support, and the student who is grieving a loss.

The student who gets A’s and the student who still can’t read.

The student who needs a hug and the student who gives hugs.

The student who is stressed and the student who is looking forward to being fed.

I pray for the teachers. 

The teacher who is well rested and ready to go back and the teacher who is still exhausted even after break. 

The teacher who has plans ready for the week and the teacher who still fears for her health. 

The teacher who tries to discern what is important  and the teacher who is worried she is not doing enough.

The teacher who proclaims a victory over technology and the teacher who is surviving.

The teacher who loves her students and the teacher who loses sleep over that one student.

The teacher who has a lot of personal concerns and the teacher contemplating retirement.

I pray for the principals. 

The principal who has teachers’ backs and the principal who has to make tough decisions for the school.

The principal who has to manage coverages and the principal who welcomes new students back to school.

The principal who has fears and doubts and the principal who has faith and trusts.

The principal who stays one step ahead and the principal who struggles to keep up.

The principal who wears many hats and the principal who loves the job.

The principal who has critics and the principal who is worried about a neglected family.

I pray for parents.

The parent who wants one more day of vacation and the parent who just needs a break.

The parent who is nervous about in-person learning and the parent who is nervous about virtual learning.

The parent who is anxious about the future and the parent who feels anxious about everything.

The parent who is optimistic and the parent who is facing personal struggles.

The parent who is sick and the parent who is facing a life-changing event.

The parent who is afraid to ask for help and the parent who supports the school and teachers.

Please join me in praying for our students, our teachers, our principals, our parents, as well as our support staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and custodians.  2020 was a rollercoaster for those in education.  I, for one, am looking forward to a new calendar year and new opportunities!  So, tonight I pray! Happy 2021!