7 Stages of a Snow Day for a Teacher

One of the perks of teaching school is that it keeps you young, even if it's just young at heart. We are only one day into a new semester of school and it has begun. Talk of a possible snow day.

Now, I don't normally post items I receive via email yet this one just screamed, "POST ME ON YOUR BLOG!" So, I will. It was sent around by a friend about a year ago but, based on the talk at school, forecasts, and even a prediction by a local palm-reading janitor, it is sooo relevant for today. Enjoy!

For all you adults out there who don't work in the school system, I ask
you to revisit your childhood for a brief moment. Step back to the
days when you were a lad in school, when you would run to the window and
then to the T.V. to wait patiently for the Snow Bird report. Do you
remember the feeling? The feeling of glee, the feeling of excitement,
the feeling that the world was yours for the taking and nothing could
hold you down. I can tell by the smile on your face that, yes, you do
remember. Now take that feeling and multiply it by 25. This is what a
teacher experiences.

The buildup for teachers begins days ahead of the predicted storm. I
accredit this mostly to the fact that, unlike students, teachers usually
watch the news on a regular basis and therefore understand how the seven
day forecast works. This prior knowledge of what could happen sets in
motion what is called "The 7 Stages of a Teacher Snow Day."

The 7 Stages of a Teacher Snow Day

Stage One: What?....Really!
The initial rumor of snow ignites a momentary glee that cannot be
contained within the soul of a teacher. Much like the feeling you get
when you win a raffle, you are excited and can't believe that it could
actually happen to you. You smile, skip around, and begin thinking of
what chores and errands you will catch up on if you are so lucky.

Stage Two: The Decline
In stage two the educator, still excited about the possibility, thinks
back on all the times forecasters in Middle Tennessee have been wrong.
This begins to make him or her ask more questions about the report. How
much are they predicting? What's the anticipated high and low
temperature? How warm will the ground be? This is immediately followed
by the checking of various long range weather reports on-line and
speaking with other teachers to see, "What have you heard?"

Stage Three: The Professional Emerges
Somewhere after stage two, reality sets in, and the old school marm that
lives in the depths of every teacher begins to show her face. The fact
that they have a very serious job to do comes to mind, and they are
reminded that there are state tests quickly approaching for which their
students are not yet ready. It is during this stage that teachers lie
to their co-workers and families and tell them that it would be better
if they had school. This way they won't fall behind schedule or have to
redo plans.

Please note: This is purely a self-preservation stage designed in the event that school is not cancelled.

Stage Four: Excitement Sneaks Back In.
It could not be suppressed for long. You are now closer to the
anticipated wintry mix, and the forecast still looks promising.

Stage Five: Anger
This is a very common stage. Once again the enthusiasm has been snuffed
out and replaced with the thoughts that there is no way we're getting
out of school. You are then reminded of the 13 unpaid, use them or lose them "inclement weather" days built into the school calendar. You begin to get
angry at the transportation director for being willing to risk the
safety of our students, the school board for not being willing to
compensate us for unused snow days, and that blankety-blank weatherman
for getting our hopes up to begin with. I am warning you to stay clear
of any educator you may believe to be in this stage.

Stage Six: Cautious Optimism
You are preparing for bed the night before what could be a day off. To
the common observer everything looks normal. Lunches have been packed,
clothes laid out, and alarms set. You avoid discussing it with your
spouse, and you tell your children to go to bed at their normal time.
Everyone knows that the slightest bit of hope could jinx the whole thing
and you will wake up to sunny skies with a high well above freezing.
You slip in your bed and say a last silent prayer. Being prepared for the
worst, you very quietly hope for the best.

Stage Seven: Uncontrollable Enthusiasm.
You spring from your bed and race to the T.V. You find the first local
news channel and look for those wonderful county names scrolling across
the bottom of your screen. You flip from channel 2 to 4 to 5. You even
take a look at Fox. Your mission is to find the channel whose scrolling
ticker is closest to your county. Finally, you find one
that says Overton County...you know yours is coming up. There it
is....Stewart and....and...and SUMNER! Thank you, Jesus!!!

(as if devine intervention applies to something so trivial)

YES. YES, YES!!! You jump around your living room as adrenaline shoots
through your veins like a bullet. You smile, you dance, you thank God
for his unbelievable kindness to you. However, in a moment of sudden
panic you are jerked back to reality. You begin to think they got it
wrong. It could be a mistake, you say to yourself. Quickly you search
for the remote which went flying out of your hands earlier. Finding it
behind the sofa you look for another station to verify the fact you do
not have to go to work. Once again you see it, and the ecstasy and
elation starts all over again.

You think about going to get back in bed but, if you are like me, you are
now much too awake to even dream sleep. Besides, how could you waste
even one second of this glorious day off? Instead you pour your coffee
into a real mug instead of a travel one. You slip on your house shoes,
grab a blanket, and once again soak up the delight of knowing you are a
teacher, and it is a snow day in Middle Tennessee!