This work is hard. This work is important. This work is made better when we leverage the strengths of teammates and work together to design learning experiences.
Let’s Be Fireflies
More Creating Less Defending
Whether its instructional practices, communication, or leadership moves, we are going to mess up. And we will keep messing up. And some lessons, we will never stop learning over and over again. But isn't that beautiful? Because it means we care and that we showed up and that we are trying. So, instead of wasting time complaining, justifying, in denial, perhaps our time is better spent creating something new or tweaking and remixing.
Cutting Goals in Half
Life is hard enough. The pressures of work or being a parent are hard enough. We don't need to make it harder on ourselves by setting unrealistic expectations. Thinking and moving smaller can help us achieve more in the end. It can help us feel better too. You know?
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.
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.
Kids These Days
One of the best things we can do for students is to spend time being truly present with them. Enjoy them, connect with them, encourage them, grow their skills, and celebrate them. Nourish their unique gifts and talents and help them believe deeply in themselves and their ability to make a positive difference. Our students are our hope. But they need hope themselves. Hope that tomorrow can be better than today and that they will have the skills necessary to make tomorrow better than today.
Be All There
We are allowed to work this way. We might need to do a little work to create systems that make that possible, but we are allowed to work this way. In fact, it's how we work best. Wherever we are, we are at our best when we are all there. Wishing you more moments of peace and presence during this challenging time in the school year. Keep going. We need you.
MEGHAN LAWSON 