I told this group of veterans that what I saw was actually quite an inspiration to me. In fact, one of the things I love most about my job is working with new teachers to the profession. In most cases, beginning teachers come into the profession ready to take on the world, be amazing at everything, and rock the classroom. Folks tend to either resent this unbridled enthusiasm with rolled eyes and "you'll learn" comments or they feed off it by recharging their own batteries.  Knowing that I love working with new teachers, it's not hard to guess where I fit. 

One of my favorite children's books, Verdi by Janell Cannon, tells the story of that reminds me of what beginning teachers go through during the early years in their careers. The green grumblers, the old snakes in the book, tell young and vibrant Verdi that he may be wild and crazy now, but it won't stay like that. Someday, they say,  he'll learn his lesson and be as curmudgeonly as them.  Verdi desperately tries to avoid becoming a green grumbler until he ultimately finds himself broken and as grumpy as he once feared. That is, until he meets the next generation of young, rambunctious snakes, that help him find his joy once again. 

©New Teacher Center

There are grumblers in every building that can infect new teachers with negative attitudes. Jennifer Gonzalez at Cult of Pedagogy calls them walnut trees.  In looking at data regarding new teachers' attitudes, it's easy to see how the disillusionment phase makes a beginning teacher susceptible to grumblers.  New teachers tell me they thought about quitting over Christmas or starting job searching to do something--anything-- else.

But things typically turn around after winter break. Maybe it's the combination of extra sleep, a change of scenery and festivities that gets them back, but they return a little more optimistic then they left. 

As Spring Break approaches, I can see the change in the weather and the climb back up toward anticipation.

"I can do this," one induction teacher told me recently, which I know is a sign of good things to come. 

As teacher leaders, it's important for us to be the marigolds that support beginning teachers as they navigate the challenges of the first few years--the hardest most teachers face in their careers. If we aren't careful, the grumblers -- the walnut trees-- will prevail and an eager new teacher will find himself stuck in the valley of disillusionment. 

Our profession, and more importantly, our students deserve better than that.