“Living My Life 4 Minutes at a Time”

Four minutes. 240 seconds (and yes, I used a calculator for that). Also, I tried to weave in here some sort of Dom Toretto "live my life quarter mile at a time" quote, but its almost the end of the school year here and I'm drained.

But yes, four of the craziest minutes of every single school day. Just enough time, but never enough time. For any district that I have been within, this is the amount of time allowed for students to transition from one class to another. When dismissal happens, usually with some sort of bell, buzz, or ring, students are meant to orderly (lmfao) pack their things away from whichever class they are attending, leave that classroom for their locker, grab whichever new materials they need for their next class, use the restroom if needed, and then be in their seats in their next class when the next “bell” goes off four minutes later. When I’m reading this now, it sounds really nice and (again) orderly. However, transitions usually NEVER go as planned. At the end of a class, lessons go over time, students have questions, teachers are mentoring the behavior of other students, there’s a mad rush to the door because it’s pasta or breakfast day at lunch; all while another class is trying to enter the room. I would suggest that it is controlled chaos, but “controlled” does not belong within that description. 

Want to really know your student(s); engage with them in-between classes.

Interestingly enough, though, it has been these four minutes that have been some of the most “exciting” and important times when talking with students. Now, let me let you in on a little secret…not ALL conversions between teachers and students are based upon that day’s learning objectives (*gasppp-pa-pa*). Yes, there are moments within a daily teaching environment when there are some genuine human interactions about whatever the mainstream hot topic might be. Beyond those moments, however, have been the conversations and connections I have made with students during those four minutes. Usually brief in nature, students show their true colors when they ask me about my day, my weekend, my holiday break. I’ve continued conversations from our class discussion with students as they enter their next class and bring that dialogue into whomever’s class they enter next (sorry about that by-the-way if that interrupted your lesson). I’ve had students share some intimate details about their home life they’d like for me to understand so that they know why they have been sad or not totally present during class. I’ve had students champing at the bit to let me know how excited they are for their extracurricular event that they are about to participate in. I’ve stood outside my door (if anyone from my admin team is reading this, yes, I always stand outside my door between classes) and connected with students who are just passing to their next class. I’ve also ran from the side of my door to break up a scuffle or two in my day. And yes, most importantly, I’ve sprinted to the copier or restroom during the allotted four minutes because sometimes there just aren’t enough hours (or in this case, minutes) in a day.

A Little Dab Will Do Ya

Even though this is just a small part of your day, some days it can be your most impactful time. Be present for the students who need you after class, be welcoming to those who enter your class or pass by your door, keep your head on a swivel, and take your time in the restroom. Your bladder will appreciate the attention and your students will be thankful for class starting a few minutes late…if they’re actually in class by the time you get back.

Do you have a story to tell? Tell it!...or at least let me tell it. Reach out to any one of my platforms to expose your experience(s), your truth, as both a human and an educator. I would love to hear from you!