But in learning and considering the new, let's not forget that learning is a deeply human experience. Meaningful learning is designed to be human-centered. It's not new for the sake of new. It's about making the most meaningful, positive impact we can with each learner. In this pursuit, let's not forget to see, enjoy, and be with the people we spend time with every day. If we lose sight of that, we have nothing and none of this other stuff matters. If I had not make space to write today, I'm not sure I would be grounded in that reminder. This is why I write.
Get Your Pink Back
Perhaps our schools need a little less hustle in certain areas, so we can give a little more heart. Perhaps school would feel more alive with learning if we felt a little more alive in our work. Perhaps we could see more of the beauty in others if we didn't sacrifice the beauty within ourselves. So, during this time of summer savor, maybe next school year is less about what you can do better and more about how to enjoy more. Maybe.
Hope, ChatGPT, & Us
Tomorrow can be better than today, and collectively, we have the skills needed to make tomorrow better than today. Keep showing up. Together.
Summer Savor
This summer I hope you are able to center yourself in precious moments of gratitude. Whether it's casting your eyes upon the ocean or laughing until you cry with a bestie, let's make this our summer of savor, and let's carry that sense of calm presence into next school year.
Uncovering Good
As we move into what I hope is a relaxing and less intensely scheduled summer for many of us, ask yourself what went right. Ask yourself who helped make it so. And let's nurture the people and conditions that give us hope for tomorrow.
Pomp, Circumstance, & Gratitude
We don't have to wait until kindergarten, 8th grade, and senior year to celebrate our students. We don't have to wait until Teacher Appreciation Week or retirement parties to celebrate each other. In fact, as I mention in my book, my favorite definition of happiness is growth. When we learn and change and evolve, even in small ways, and see others doing the same, it's important that we celebrate. The brain is more motivated by how far we've come than by how far we have to go. Think about that. At graduations, while the future is mentioned and in positive terms, it's the growth that students experienced over the years that takes center stage in the graduation ceremony. From learning how to read, to making new friends, and learning time management in secondary school, we celebrate our scholars for their growth and development.
Kind, Empathetic, Generous
The world would be changed if more of us embodied these qualities. The world would be changed if we could celebrate others more often for these qualities. The world would be more wholesome. Thank you, Eddie, for touching my heart. I left with a mission to make school a place where we nurture kindness, empathy, and generosity. Our students and staff deserve it.
The Hustle & Heart of Teachers
Certainly, there are going to be times when we aren't feeling our best as educators. We are human beings. It's what we do in response to those feelings to get what we need and move forward in healthy ways that matters most. And certainly, there are people who do not embody what we want our profession to be. But take a look around, there is so much good happening in our schools every day, and there are many people who make us feel proud to be educators. Please take a moment to celebrate a teacher for their hustle and heart. They deserve it all and more.
Educators, I see you.
What we look for, we find. It's easy to overcomplicate things in education, but some of the most important moves we make...as I mention in my upcoming book...are quite simple and impactful. The key is quieting the noise, so we can stay close to what matters most. How we feel in the work impact how others feel in the work and all of this impacts how the work actually goes.
Imperfect but Impactful
My upcoming book is filled with stories like this - stories where I learned from mistakes. Because the world needs less shiny, perfect people and more people who are committed to being deeply human, sharing their mistakes, and learning with other people. I'm experiencing big fears the sooner this book comes to publication. What I've had to remind myself is that I didn't write this book so people would think good things about me or my work. I wrote this book because I hope my learning can be of some value to others. It's that simple. I wrote a book that I needed.