Patience in the Classroom
Lessons from My Herb Garden
As teachers, we know that patience is part of the job. We navigate curriculum changes, testing cycles, and even global pandemics. But recently, I discovered a whole new level of patience… through my herb garden.
On a whim, I decided to start growing parsley and mint. I bought the plants, grabbed the soil, and got to work. What started as a small hobby to keep my hands and mind busy (instead of scrolling through social media) quickly turned into a passion.
But here’s the thing about gardening—it takes patience. A LOT of patience.
I’m eager to harvest my herbs, but they’re just not ready. No matter how much I want to see results, I can’t rush the process. Every day, I check the soil, add fertilizer, and tend to my little plants—without any immediate sign of progress. Some of my efforts may be in vain, while others might take weeks or even months to show results.
This experience reminded me so much of teaching, particularly when working with struggling readers. As a reading intervention teacher, I worked with students who were multiple grade levels behind. I poured everything I had into helping them—trying different strategies, reading the latest research, and using every manipulative I could find. But literacy doesn’t happen overnight, just like a garden doesn’t grow in a day.
As educators, we are constantly planting seeds in our students. Some will sprout quickly, while others will take longer to grow. The key is to trust the process and keep nurturing their growth, even when we don’t see immediate results.
So, the next time you feel discouraged, remember: the work you do every day is making a difference. Keep watering, keep tending, and—most importantly—keep believing. Your patience will pay off in the long run.
Have you ever found unexpected lessons about teaching in your everyday life? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you have any gardening tips, I’m all ears!
Happy planting—and teaching!
Dr. Deonna Smith is an advocate for educational justice, teacher and abolitionist. Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Deonna grew up navigating a system that was built to suppress and marginalize Black and Brown kids. Deonna’s passion for justice began early, as the only student of color in most places, and a first generation college student, Deonna experienced firsthand the corrosive nature of systemic racism. After completing her undergraduate degree Deonna sought to be the Black teacher she never had. Years in the classroom exposed just how deep the roots of systemic racism ran. Having a Black teacher wasn’t enough if you were working at a school that refused to confront racism, inequity and bias. As a teacher, Deonna saw how systemic racism impacted her students. As an administrator, she saw how it impacted her school and even the community.
PREVIOUS
Next
