Blessed are the Burned Out Teachers

CCS Diaconal Ministries student Jamie Miller has worked as educational support in a Catholic primary school. A few months ago for Catholic education staff appreciation week she wrote this prayer (and shared it with the educators in her life, including program staff at CCS). As teachers start thinking about how to do everything they need to do before the school year ends, we remember with gratitude the commitment and sacrifice of all those who support learners and learning.

Beatitudes for Caring Adults in Schools

Blessed are the burned-out, 
The ones who sleep – sometimes, 
But still wake up exhausted, and go through the motions of the day –
mostly with a smile and gentle heart. 

Blessed are the ones who stay late or stay up late 
and still have a stack of unmarked papers,
half written lesson plans and countdown to the end of the year. 

Blessed are the ones who have trained their bladder for recess and lunch breaks. 

Blessed are the ones who receive difficult news – again, and still do more with less. 

Blessed are the ones who feel they can’t connect with the kids who need it most. 
Who cry when they get home, 
or in the washroom 
or in the classroom when the students are gone. 
Who needs it most???

Blessed are the ones who feed the hungry at Breakfast club,
pack extra lunches, provide snacks and send nutritious items home. 

Blessed are those who are living in 
‘Just put the fires out’ mode,
pivot and pivot again mode
Just survive mode. 

Blessed are the cracked-voiced singers,
the undercaffeinated,
the ones whose hearts are full of beauty
and whose bodies are just so tired.

Blessed are those who ask for students’ prayers of intention
while in their minds praying for each of the faces staring back at them. 
Praying for patience and strength for the day. 

Blessed are the burned out, but still dream of making a difference in the face of reality.

Blessed are you—
in your imperfection, your overwhelm, your quiet ache.
You are not failing.
You are not alone.
You are not unseen.
You are standing at the edge of something holy.

And so—as the week continues,
before you take up the pencil or crayon,
before you teach from your mind and heart
Come.
Not as leader. Not as shepherd.
But simply as you.
Breathe.
Be held.
Let this blessing carry you for once.

In this moment 
You do not have the weight of the world.
Just remain. Just be. Just breathe.
The presence of the Holy One is already here.

During this Eastertide, remember 
You are not the tomb’s keeper.
You are not the dawn’s engine.
You are the one the Holy One would sit beside
in the garden—
before the palms, before the cross, before the sunrise—
just to say:
‘You are enough.
Let me hold your hand awhile.’