Learner. Human. Joyologist.
I wish every teacher could feel what that moment felt like to me. I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes from the book, Wonder, "I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives."
It's book launch day for Legacy of Learning: Teaching for Lasting Impact!
Secondary teachers don't often get to experience the scope of a students day. So, it's easy to make assumptions regarding how much our students are reading, writing, and moving. The teachers who participated in this experience said they felt like they needed more opportunities to get out of their seats to keep their energy levels and thinking levels up.
The sun was shining and the vibes were high on Friday after work. I pulled into a local gas station which also serves as a convenience store and ice cream shop. A woman ordered an ice cream and upon making it for her and handing it across the counter, the young lady who scooped the... Continue Reading →
Let's make our seconds count by allowing ourselves space to be inspired and to get after only the things that matter most with our whole hearts.
So, let's free ourselves of the crippling pressure of centering ourselves in every narrative. It's often not about us at all. And I find that quite liberating and critical to seeing the work clearly.
And sometimes support looks like making copies of the reading for people and subbing in classrooms. I believe so deeply in this work that I am willing to do whatever it takes to remove barriers. I subbed in a classroom last week, and I think I'm a better leader because of it. The further we are from the classroom and the day-to-day of our schools, the less clear we become about the support that is really needed. This is also why teacher and student voices are critical in the continuous improvement process. To my administrator friends, put on your sneakers, get out of your office, roll up your sleeves, and help out.
The next time you find yourself hyper-focused on something that didn't go perfectly, give yourself space to ask why this matters so much to you. Somewhere in that story, there is probably a kid who simply needs some love and encouragement. And one of the best ways to find love and encouragement is to step outside of ourselves and give to others that which we personally need. Fight perfection with connection.
So, while we figure this out, the way to find peace and calm and joy every day in our work, let's allow ourselves to do it imperfectly. A high school student asked for help getting to class today, and I was happy to show her, so we walked together. She said, "Are you my teacher? You make me feel calm." I know there are many students out there who feel that way about many of us in schools. So, we aren't just double cheeseburger eaters and coffee drinkers. We aren't just to-do list machines. We are educators. We are calm (most of the time, ha.) and capable. We are the imperfect people who make others feel calm and capable. And I love that about us.
I guess I'm going to start saying no, so I can say yes. I'm going to say no to rushing through my days, so I can hug a little longer, laugh a little wilder, and love a little bigger.
MEGHAN LAWSON 