This is a tribute to elementary school.

It is September. The bell rings and the youthful exuberance and reticence all come rushing into the gymnasium. They grab a paper boat, their big brown eyes staring up at you as they anticipate the breakfast they will soon consume.

Some say good morning. Some want to give you a hug. Another gently shows you how to form a heart with your fingers. They walk down the hall with their breakfast boat brimming with yogurt, cereal, and milk. One little boy struggles to hold his backpack on his back and his brimming breakfast boat spills his cereal container to the floor. As he juggles his other treats, he manages to get it picked back up before dropping his spoon.

The bell rings. The announcements over the loud speaker begin and the principal starts everyone out on the Pledge of Allegiance. From there, some of the older kids read the school’s four behavior goals. Then class begins.

Pencils, drop, feet wiggle, books are yanked hither and yon. A child with a paper cut raises her hand to ask Ms. Teacher for a band aid. The distractions are enumerable. Somehow, Ms. Teacher keeps them occupied and working on their lesson, gently coaxing the wandering minds to focus back on their book. She calls a name, a chance to shine, a student proudly mumbles the right answers and glows from the praise.

And then, it’s recess. It is tough to line them all up quietly when they are going out to play. Jackson and Kyla are reminded, “No voices, stay in line,” as they burst out the door, squealing.

Reluctance comes in all shades when the bell rings and recess is over. Hector stretches for one more rim shot at the basket. Cassidy gathers up her tetherball to throw in the hamper.

And then there is the vomit, the broken pencils, a worksheet grabbed by another student, and Dylan, who just can’t seem to stay seated in his chair. Time for coloring, time for arithmetic, time for reading. Miss Stacy coaxes her fresh faced and wide-eyed Kindergarten class to get their snacks and watch a video where they count off how many fingers. Walking down the halls, pictures of shining stars are hung and Noah stretches to point out his artwork on the left.

At the end of the day, everyone lines up in the hallways, quiet as little bugs or teacher reminds them so. The fifth graders are carrying out their new musical instruments proud to tell someone who asks what they are learning to play. In another month, their parents will be herding all the family into the car to go see the first concert. Oblivious to the missed notes and out of tune passages, they will gloat that their child is gifted just like Uncle Bob.

Some kids head to the buses, some sit quietly in the gym for their names to be called because the app says their parents have arrived at the door to drive them home. They are walked to the cars by one of the staff, the car door opened and held like they are a patron boarding a limousine. Everyone is wished a good evening.

Of course, there are tears, coughs, sneezes, laughter, bright eyes, and snotty noses, but it’s all in a day’s work. The struggling sighs and the frustrated groan of the failed assignment are blended with the clapping and high fives from the right answers.

There was nary a minute to spare for the staff and teachers, but the caring, the love and the appreciation show nearly every minute.

Here’s to you, elementary teachers.