My Supports in Various Environments

To me, the word "Support" is a comforting word that evokes a feeling of being uplifted or cared for. However, the word "Support" can be vague at times. and depends on the context of the sentence. In my own life, I have found that it connotes a variety of meanings depending on the setting. When it is used at work, it can be different as opposed to when it is used at home.

    At home, "Support" is referring to helping or caring for an item or need. In my family, we support each other by babysitting the younger family members, being present during life events, and helping out when things are tough. I see this as beneficial because I know that when/if I need assistance I have individuals I can reach out to for help. My husband Brandon, also provides support as well. If I have too much on my plate, Brandon will take on additional tasks. 

    At work, "Support" means providing aid when needed, or helping to solve the conundrums that I am experiencing in the classroom. In the classroom, that looks like another teacher or my director stepping into the classroom so that I can focus on the individual need of a child. At my workplace, we can feel stretched-thin at times, but it is always good to know that my co-workers and director will try their best to help me as needed.

    Regardless of the location, the word still holds a powerful ability to make one feel more secure in their situation. Hypothetically, let's say I felt overworked as a teacher. In this scenario, I would have lots of paperwork to finish, lots of emails to answer, stressful situations in the classroom that kept occurring and I would feel undersupported on a daily basis. In order to solve this challenge, I could contact my supervising teacher and explain my situation. We would meet and discuss ways to alleviate some of this pressure. If further intervention is needed, my director could be asked to meet with me to help so that a solution could be found. I find the support from my supervising teacher and director useful because they are incredibly experienced in the early childhood field, and are very wise. Being able to draw from their wisdom and experience is a great way to learn how to excel as a teacher, as well as being able to solve the issues at hand. Without these supports, I would most likely feel overwhelmed, overworked, and anxious on a regular basis.

    Now let's apply the same hypothetical situation in the home setting. Say I felt overwhelmed at home: I had too much housework, too much homework, and not enough time. I could communicate with my husband to help with the workload, or if I needed even more help I could reach out to my family and request the same thing. This is level of support is so helpful, because it allows me to prioritize my work and feel cared for at home. Without these supports, I would struggle to balance school and housework, as well as taking care of my health and diet. Having this level of support at home is so important to me, as it helps me focus on my goals at home and thrive. 

    Supporting individuals in the field of education is so important. Teaching can be very taxing, and providing support for teachers is a great way to prevent or delay burnout amongst educators. So if you have the chance, I encourage you to support your local teacher. They will greatly appreciate the extra support.