Tis the Season...

'Tis the Season to Be…we have all heard this phrase. In my opinion, though we hear it around this season a ton, it is probably the most under used phrase. We should be using it more because the words that follow the phrase are, most of the time, good. Unless we are joking, we don’t link the phrase with ‘stresses out’ or ‘stuck in traffic’.  We link it with feel good things like ‘jolly’ or ‘happy’. Wouldn’t be nice if during the dog days of summer, we heard the phrase, ‘Tis the season to be jolly’. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Though we know the phrase, we often find the month of December filled with crazy days and rushing to this, that, or the other thing. It seems the days grow shorter, yet somehow our to-do lists grow longer. There’s a constant hum of busyness in the air and an ever-present sense of urgency. For teachers, the holiday season can feel like a whirlwind of activities: end-of-semester grading, school performances, and planning holiday celebrations for students. It’s easy to get swept up in the rush. Amidst the chaos, we need to remember what the season truly represents: human connection.

Walk into any store in December, and you’re immediately greeted by festive music, towering stacks of holiday goods, and sales promising the best deals of the year. While there’s a certain joy in finding the perfect gift or decorating the home, the commercialization of the holidays often distracts us from their deeper meaning. The frantic pursuit of material items can overshadow the moments that bring genuine happiness. For me, I do it a bit differently. December becomes a time to slow everything down. Enjoy a heartfelt conversation with someone, experience laughter shared with loved ones, or simply stop to appreciate the beauty of the season. Teachers are no strangers to this frenzy. Between organizing classroom activities and crafting holiday-themed lessons, the pressure to “do it all” can be overwhelming. It’s a delicate balancing act, made even more challenging by the personal demands of the season. Yet, even in the busiest moments, there are opportunities to find and foster connections that make the holidays meaningful.

For many of us, the holidays are steeped in tradition. Whether it’s baking cookies with family, lighting candles, decorating the house, or watching a favorite holiday movie, these rituals ground us. All of these are things I do with my family. I acknowledge the same thing that my parents knew, we are constructing memories that will last a lifetime for our children. As challenging as some of the things that are done in the classroom, as a parent, I know they matter. Teachers make impacts that can be recalled for a lifetime. We all can fondly remember the holidays at school. As educators, we have the unique ability to introduce or reinforce traditions that highlight the values of kindness, generosity, and gratitude.

At its core, the holiday season is about connection. It’s about reaching out to others, whether through acts of kindness, shared meals, or heartfelt words. In a time when digital screens often dominate our interactions, making space for genuine human connection is more important than ever. For teachers, this means being present with your students, even in the midst of holiday chaos. It’s taking a moment to check in with the student who seems quieter than usual or celebrating the small victories with a colleague. These acts may seem small, but they’re the threads that weave the fabric of everything we do. ‘Tis the season to be…present. It is a gift, that is what makes it a present. Be kind. Be grateful. Whether in your classroom or at home, it’s not the gifts under the tree but the people around it that truly make the holidays special. 

Until next time...