The (Band)Man in the Mirror

The (Band)Man in the Mirror

This summer, I’ve been asking the kids their favorite song from middle school.  (Mine was Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice, but that is a completely different therapy session).  Last week, a kid shared that theirs was Man in the Mirror by MJ.  His response raised his stock price significantly (if I have to keep pretending that anything by Tyler the Creator is music…). 

You see, April 27, 1988 changed my life forever.  My mom took me out of daycare early (I was only 9…quit laughing; that’s not a joke 😂) to see the Bad Tour at Reunion Arena.  MJ was the biggest act in the world, and that night is still etched in my memory as if it happened yesterday.  While I was more impressed with Smooth Criminal and Beat It, I can still feel the energy of Man in the Mirror as his second encore.

As we head back into the classroom full-time, Man in the Mirror reminds me that my students and my classroom are a reflection of me.  While there is no doubt that the reflection is clouded by a lack of fully developed frontal lobes and teenage angst, my students are a product of my behavior and the environment I create for them.  Often, the things that frustrate me most about them are things I rationalize in my own behavior.  Possibly, more importantly, it is a good reminder that my words and actions are powerful.  

I have the power to dramatically impact a student's experience, and so do you.  While most will never mention it, your smile, your kindness, your ‘one more, one more time’ often gives them the courage to keep going.

Thanks for changing the world - have a great week!