Tonight at dinner, my almost-adult son, who is set to graduate from high school in just a few weeks, asked me, “Mom, do you know what holiday it is today?” I immediately wondered… well, I think it’s past May Day, and I don’t remember it being Cinco de Mayo yet. The days are sometimes hard to keep track of lately it seems. “Hmmm… Oh, I know… It’s Educator Appreciation Week!” My son just looked at me and smirked, “May the Fourth Be With You!”

Okay – so maybe great minds do think alike. The Star Wars analogy is not lost on me when I think about it being Educator Appreciation Week. Teaching and learning made the jump into the hyperspace of remote learning with almost no time to prepare. Amazing.

Stick with me as I further consider the parallels between education today and Star Wars.

Every parent everywhere… “Help me, [educators]. You’re my only hope.” ~ Princess Leia

Naysayers who thought remote learning could not be done?… “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” ~ Darth Vader

The possibility of remote learning not working… “Never tell me the odds!” ~ Han Solo

Where are we learning the rest of this week… “Chewie, we’re home.” ~ Han Solo

Getting our learning on tomorrow and the day after… “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
~ Yoda

When we move on after this unprecedented time into a new future of teaching and learning… “When gone am I, the last of the Jedi will be you. The Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned.” ~ Yoda

With the unrest in our world…”We must keep our faith in the Republic. The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it.” ~ Queen Jamillia

Tomorrow when I think there is just too much to possibly accomplish… “I’m one with the Force. The Force is one with me.” ~Chirrut Imwe

When we see our friends at school again… “Oh, my dear friend. How I’ve missed you.
~ C-3PO

To all the educators and students out there… “The Force will be with you. Always.”
~ Obi-Wan Kenobi

And each day… always have “Hope.” ~ Princess Leia

Even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan, you have to admit there are some positive takeaways for those of us, all of us in Education today. There continues to be a lot of wisdom and life lessons to share.

Take time to thank an educator this week. Or how about thanking more than one? It takes a village, and now that most parents have experienced a glimpse of the life of a teacher, it would make sense to thank the entire village. Thank you!

Thanks to my son’s teachers for stopping by to say hi – from a distance – and share some learning treats! The COVID-19 journal is awesome! JR enjoyed the pretzels, too!

Although educators – teachers, support staff, and administrators may come and go – their impacts last a lifetime. Thank you, educators, for all that you do!
Oh  – and May the Fourth Be With You!

Stay Calm & May the Fourth Be With You!
Profs Dr. Wendy & Dr. V.