A few weeks ago in church, our pastor spoke about the importance of Alfred to Batman’s superhero status and conquests. Behind the man who was saving the world was someone that unconditionally cared for him, created tools and strategies necessary for his work, and always provided a safe haven for him in times of trouble. The pastor said, “sometimes we are Batman and sometimes we are Alfred.”

This particularly resonated with me as I transition into a new support role in the next school year. Leaving my student-centered, school-centered post as a school counselor and leaning into the position as the Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator for our district. I am so excited to support the whole child in our community, focusing not just on academics but a child’s entire being of what makes them HUMAN and connected to others. I am SUPER excited about supporting the amazing team of school counselors, teachers and support staff (the BATMANs of the world in my humble and very biased opinion) and can’t wait to promote what they do and create some synergy for even more awesomeness heading forward.

And I am nervous and grieving a bit….I am kinda obsessed with my job and with working with children at the elementary level. I love playing jenga and candyland to teach social skills, leading small groups teaching children coping skills amidst a death or a divorce in their life, and teaching classes that teach ALL children the skills they will need for life and family and friendships in the future. I love my “Hoelzle hugs”, wearing super shoes and Meow Monday cat ears, and practicing flying with Mr. Grit. I will truly miss that “in the trenches” work and will return to it once I feel like the purpose and direction for this new position has played out successfully.

I am also extremely grateful. As I process this new position, I realize once again that God put this directly in the middle of my path knowing that this year has been such a struggle. When I devote 100% of myself and my energy to 500 students day in and day out, many of whom struggle with trauma and attachment issues themselves, I am drained and not fully present at home when I have three struggling in my very own home. I have found myself less patient, less compassionate, and less willing to use the very same skills I used an hour earlier to my students. And that’s not fair and I hope a break from this intensive work will boost the love, attachment and healing in my home in ways I can’t even imagine.

So whether or not you are a Batman or an Alfred – please know we need BOTH of you to save our world each day, each school year, each season of life. The work is never finished…..