This was originally shared on my personal account and it was noted every teacher needed to hear this message. Therefore, I took a leap of faith for a wider audience.
Yesterday, I went into the grocery store for a few things and had a really sweet conversation with a bagger that made an impression.
He told me his name and what he does. He noticed by teacher shirt and asked what I taught. I told him K-5 Life Skills and he noted “I would’ve been in your class when I was in school. I’m fun.”
He went on to tell me teachers are important & also told me the school year is coming & asked if I was ready. I told him I was ready for the routine back and the moments at school. He then told me he liked meeting new faces at school and talking to people.
As I was leaving, he told me to have a great school year.
As a new school year is upon many of us or upcoming soon, I can’t help but appreciate the moments within the school year, with people, and the impact students and staff have on me.
Teachers & educators are vital in the success of all other professions. We are important.
Last week I received a text message from a friend that noted she found joy in my pictures of our new puppies and flowers I post to social media. It made me smile as I read her words and then hearted the conversation and went along with my day. Her words continue to resonate with me as I scroll through a variety of platforms and interact with others.
Thinking about it, we all have moments we are proud of or notice something that catches our eye that imprint a memory in our minds. Do we take the extra step and tell others what brings them joy? Do we take a minute to note something right in front of us?I am a huge fan of seeing the JOY in situations and around me as the day passes. For me, it’s the little things like a sunrise/sunset, a flower blooming, a dog, or even an interaction that I notice and take a mental image of to remember. For you it may be something different. Think about what brings you joy and why it is set apart from everyday events or happenings.
Whether you are in school, at work, or off during this time, joy can surround you as an opportunity to remember. Joy occurs as as a reaction of what we see or experience. Every single one of us has moments of joy throughout our journey in life. The joyful moments can be the glue that holds us together during moments of struggle or the celebratory memory when life goes well.
Every single human has ups and downs and times where there may be angst and difficulties. We’re human, it happens. However, those joyful moments defined as memories after the fact help. It’s a memory because of something that stands out in the moment. What moments of joy do you recall when you most need them? Why do they stand out to you?
Joy can be in so many forms and the moments that bring you joy are memories. Joy can be an action as well as a reaction in life. Find what brings you joy and cling to it. Joy in the moments become memories to hold onto and recall.
I have the unique opportunity to see the work of district and school officials, staff, and families pour their hearts out to our students every single day. The work that so many put in reaps for our students and our schools. From our custodians, cafeteria staff, front office, staff, teachers, & administration, every single person is making a difference in the world of a student’s journey. I pause and realize often that the work we put in together matters every single day. So many pour their hearts out for students to support their educational journeys. It continues to be ever flowing even through the pivots, challenges, and roadblocks in our way. Teaching has never been easy but it truly makes an impact on so many. Through the challenges, the tears, and stress, there is good in each journey and in each day.
Is it exhausting? At times, it can be. Is it rewarding? Absolutely! Is it worth it? For me, yes!
Today I am grateful to have a front row seat in the work of our students and the work that we do every day. The ups and downs of education continue to grow. However, the work that the educational community does to support students matters whole heartedly.
Educators across the world are feeling the pressures, struggles, and upsets day in and out. However, today, I had to take a step back and reflect upon what’s right in front of me and the purpose of education right now for me.
One step at a time, one day at a time, educators are making a difference in the journey of our students.
Around the world, educators and students are returning back to school this week and next. Whether it be online or in person, coming off a break can bring a bag of mixed feelings along with it. The time away may have been relaxing for many and a breath of fresh air to slow down and breathe. The time away to celebrate alongside loved ones as well as the time to decompress and be present was much needed and appreciated here. But it’s time to return to the routine and the school setting. As much as I enjoy the downtime, I love the structure of the routine day in and out during the week.
This week, however, you have a unique opportunity to be in many aspects. In the lives of students and educators coming off of the break, you have a chance to BE the champion and advocate for them day in & out. Many of our students bring so much JOY to our lives & I love those initial interactions to start off the day and week. For educators in the classroom, your students seek YOU to continue to build relationships and learn together along the way. For educators and leaders in and outside of the classroom setting, you have an opportunity to BE present, uplift, encourage, and inspire day in and out. Coming off of a break is hard and getting back into the routine can be a struggle. BE willing to support and uplift students, staff, and families as we all get back into the swing of things.
As hard as coming off a break can be, think about the students you influence, support, and encourage day in and out. You champion for them, encourage them, support them, and advocate for greatness and growth every day. You see them at their best and worst and never give up on them. You pour your heart into your students and their success. You, my friend, encourage greatness from them and have an opportunity to BE that influence as school gets back into session. Be the champion that influences students and never gives up. Be the champion who cares and inspires students to do their very best.
Finally, don’t forget yourself in this venture and opportunity to BE every day. Remember to be yourself and who you are as well as what you give. Be who you are through and through with and without others. Remember that you are human and that is acceptable. My friend Jillian Dubois, of ImpartedJoy, posted this on Monday and it really hit home for me. Be who you are every day. The attributes and who you are matter. You will never know how others perceive you for you.
Jillian DuBois
The to-dos and deadlines can be overwhelming. Be willing to accept that the to-dos will always be there. My friend Kecia McDonald reminded me of the things to be yesterday instead of the to-dos and this hit home for me. Instead of focusing on what has to be done, focus on what you want to BE in the coming of days. This can be a balance of things. My goal is to have a to be list this week along side my to-do list that continues to grow. To focus on what I can control versus what continues to be placed on a to-do list.
You are amazing & have an opportunity to be in the fresh start this year. and out. Remember your why, your reason for the work you do, and grasp the opportunity to BE this week. Be willing to start off your day, every day, with the willingness and opportunity to BE and see where the journey takes you. Have a great week!
Growing up, I was taught that New Years meant the start of a new year on January 1st and the traditions of black eyed peas for good luck as well as cabbage were something we had each year. Whether or not believed in this tradition, we celebrated together with this. We also talked about resolutions and goals we would accomplish this year too. As I got older, resolutions however really did not fit my jam. I would do really well the first couple of months and then they would fall to the wayside unintentionally. As I look back, the reflections were not what made the year, however. The work put in as well as the events really made my years memorable.
I am a believer that there is something good in every day as well as opportunity too. Through past experiences, hardships, life, and years, it really speaks volumes that the days continue to come and go however there is progress along each path. Looking back at 2021, there were a lot of moments of ugh as well as celebrations that mattered to me. Do I dwell in what did not work well, no. But the moments that did not make for happy memories are still memories of the past and something to grow with moving forward.
Looking ahead to this year, I am excited for the opportunities ahead and well as the journey into the unknown of 2022. The hardships and struggles of the past make me a better person today as well as the celebrations and triumphs too. Every year, an opportunity arises to write your own journey as well as remember the good and struggles along the way. For me, I look forward to writing more to fill my blank pages into the journey I take this year as well as dwell in the good and celebrations too. Even through the struggles, there is an opportunity for better upon the horizon. We just have to see it unfold in front of us.
Wishing you a very happy New Year & start to 2022!
Looking back on this year, I can’t count the amount of people who taught me something as well as who continued to embrace myself through thick and thin. Professionally, teaching during a pandemic continued to push me through thick and thin. It was not easy and continues to be the case today. The year of the continued pandemic, hardships, teaching, and finishing my Masters in December (post coming in January) continued to teach me things that I am grateful for today such as balancing personal and professional life, giving myself grace, and leading with grace.
I have always struggled and avoided talking about personal struggles from my professional life not wanting to cause extra attention but this year taught me to be honest, open, and let people in to see the whole picture of who I am. The whole picture this year caused a lot of stress, frustration, and struggle. Personal struggles included our house flooding and no power for 5 days in February, packing up our entire downstairs and all our belongings and leaving for 9 months, and home to unpack and still be under construction today. I will admit that the boxes that still sit in our halls today remind me that there is progress from last month and at the beginning of this year. Please understand, though, that telling my struggles on a blog made me a better person I am today going through them and seeing the progress of the year (almost) behind me.
One of my biggest takeaways for the 2021 year has been the amount of support and connection felt and how much grace was needed for others and myself. Focusing on others comes very naturally to me. Focusing on myself is a challenge at times aside from self care. However, it’s a continued journey to improve on and embrace. Professionally, seeing the power of connections as well as support truly allowed me to see the good in others as well as the helpful spirit too. Making connections and learning from one another worldwide was amazing. Keeping those connections and learning to grow forward is something I will to continue do day in and out as well.
Moving forward to 2022, my #oneword2022 will be embrace. Embrace will center the work I do in my classroom and with my students as well as how I work to continue to embrace in collaboration and support with colleagues, staff, and teachers. Personally, embracing boundaries and limits for my own sanity and life is a continued work in progress too. In 2022, I look to embrace the struggle that is ahead as well as the journey to embrace the unknown. I also plan to embrace blogging more as an outlet as well as to share my thoughts. Livia Chan, Teacher & Digital content creator for TeachBetter, reminded me today in a live PD that “instead of worrying about what others say about content, just focus on yourself.” Moving into 2022, I hope to share more as well as focus on embracing what’s to come.
Embracing the unknown, the productive struggle, the connections, and the days ahead in the coming year of 2022. Happy New Year to you and wishing you a wonderful start to 2022.
I am going to be perfectly honest and truly thought my word for 2019 and 2020 was BE. I am not sure how I mixed them up since intentional was supposed to capture 2020 but I took BE one step further in 2020. I truly had the presence and ability to be fully be in tune to what others were saying as well as putting in writing.
I am not going to lie. 2020 was truly a blur from March to October. The ever changing mandates, the changes, the fear, and the whirlwind so many educators and people were on was exhausting and, at times, paralyzing. While the days continued to pass, it did get easier by the end of 2020 to BE intentional about listening to others who had a different perspective or notion. I learned so much about bias that occurs by our nation as well as teachers and how to respond appropriately all while the pandemic occurred.
One of my biggest takeaways in 2020 was the fact that there are people who want to support teachers and teachers who want to learn more no matter the circumstance. I learned how to connect through zoom and have tough conversations about the inequities in education and what we are doing about it. I learned so much and also took away the fact that we are truly better together by listening, reflecting, pausing, and asking questions. I truly hope this collaborative discussion and community continues moving forward and even after the pandemic.
Moving forward to this year, 2021, my #oneword2021 will be intentional & I can’t wait to see the journey unfold through each memory. I want to focus on the extent and depth of intentional & in the different areas of my life.
Intentional focus on the planning of my lessons for my students as well as focusing on what is truly important to me by investing time and energy into these areas. Intentional direction of how I support my students, staff, colleagues, and family each day. Intentional commitment to what is important in my life. Intentional reflection by blogging more. Not only do I want to reflect and take time to truly listen and learn but I also want to have intentional voice by allowing others to read longer than 240 characters on Twitter. Intentional vulnerability by opening up on a platform and inviting feedback to help me grow as well as intentional purpose in what I do each day and along this journey in 2021.
Do you have a yearly goal or #oneword2021? I’d love to know more.
2021, let’s do this and I hope to continue to be intentional with the days ahead and the moments in between.
One word is hitting the networks by storm as we close 2019 and are almost to 2020. It’s a charge of sorts that isn’t like a resolution that falls by the waysides by February. It’s a word that holds you to the task & something that really makes sense to me. Last night, on the twitter chat, #Altedchat, Chris Quinn led an amazing chat all focused on #oneword2019 and #oneword2020. It really laid out the purpose of the one word if you need more information.
In 2019, my #oneword2019 was BE and it’s something that encompassed my word as an educator, a professional, and as a person. I have a visual I have favorited on my phone to remind me of my charge in 2019. BE is something I reflected on to BE the best I could be, BE present, and BE apart of the greater good in life. It worked for me to choose a word as an overall theme versus making multiple resolutions and not being held accountable for them all the way throughout the year. My #oneword2019 blog post on BE gave me a charge for this past year.
A few days ago, before the #Altedchat took place, I started really soul searching for a charge for the 2020 year. Something that would push me out of the box and be something I could push through. Intentionalis the word chosen for this new year. Being intentional about the decisions I make, intentional about the relationships and people I hold dear in my life, intentional about the acts of gratitude and kindness I carry out, and intentional about the way I take charge in my personal life too. I have an inkling that BE and Intentional go hand in hand as a way to keep BEing present and intentional in the lives of my students, staff, and my personal life too.
If you want to see what other educators are doing for their #oneword2020, hop on over to the Bookcamppd blog to see what others are doing too. It’s cool to see what’s in store for 2020 and how one word will charge this upcoming year too.
Whether you choose a one word or make resolutions; I wish you a happy New Year and a year of excellence in 2020. Knowing where you want to go and making a plan makes a huge difference.
The beginning of school. Oh what fun times. For teachers, it’s like a brand new year. New supplies, new students to meet, and new relationships to cultivate. Some students love getting back into their element and spending their days learning. For other students who are rigid and schedule oriented, this beginning is not fun at all. It brings great anxiety and frustration for so many students. It’s hard and requires a LOT of grace as we transition from the summer schedule to our school routine. Expectations change and grasping why the change is necessary is tough for many.
This past week, I had a parent tell me “thanks for loving him through it” as the student was having a hard moment during the day. This comment has stuck around every day as we adjust back into our normal school routine. It’s something that I hold near and dear to my heart. It’s something as educators that I believe we need to cultivate every day. We see our students on their best and worst days.
Every day, we have an opportunity to LOVE our students through their struggles and triumphs. We get to see them in their PRIME and see them all day long. We learn so much about and with our students every day. Do they have their moments? Of course but who doesn’t? As an educator I love being surrounded by students. They get me and I have an opportunity to get them every single day.
Our students appreciate us for who we are and we must appreciate THEM for who they are too. Adjustment and change are so tough for so many. Embracing the moments, caring, building rapport with your students, and having grace for all will make those long days worth it. Our students watch our ever move. Thank you for loving on every student every day & loving them through it too.
Part 1,Part 2 , & Part 3 of Trauma Invested Education series based on the Fostering Resilient Learners institute. My hope is that my learning helps your journey to supporting all students along their educational journey.
The start of a new school year is coming. For some, you’ve already started. For others, it’s coming. For me, I have students Monday and can not wait.
The truth of the matter is, though, that our students need to be connected. They need to be connected with staff, they need to have a culture of safety built into their campus, they need to have a champion in their corner, and they need to feel safe. Relationships are the cornerstone of the work that we do with our students. You have an opportunity to build the connection every day. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to connect with your students?
Something that all educators need to understand is that behavior stems from an unmet need or from lack of safety. When students come back to school, we want them to learn. However, our students come with unmet needs every day.They have school anxiety, nerves are heightened, and students don’t know their schedule or routine yet. It’s challenging and nerve racking for adults as well. Remember that kids do well when they can and so do adults.You have to give yourself some grace, y’all. It’s a necessity. You can be the most scheduled as one can be but what our students need is grace and time.
Something that educators need to realize is that students struggle with the unknown. The new school year has a lot of these. New transitions, new teachers, new classmates, and an overall new feel. Add in the 5 senses of new and students will either implode or explode if their needs aren’t met. It’s not every student but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind. Lots of grace, people. Lots of grace is what you need from day 1 to day 180.You need it and they need it too.
We have important work as educators and it is time for us to take on the role of more than just an educator. We are educators who build relationships with our students, create a culture of safety, and a culture of building students up every day. We also have an opportunity be THAT person with our students. The one who fosters a relationship, is the champion for our students, and cares every single day. I challenge you to be that person for your students this year.
Every day, we have an opportunity to connect with our students. Every single person has a story untold and it is YOUR opportunity to unfold it this year. Build the relationships, cultivate a culture of safety, support one another and be someone’s relationship every day. Someone around you counts on YOUR support every day.
Elyse Hahne 