Learner. Human. Joyologist.
If you want to inspire meaningful learning for students, inspire meaningful learning for staff. Sincere classroom learning begins with a sincere and consistent effort to trust and inspire the educators who work hard every day to make a meaningful impact on students. When we take good care of adults and their learning in schools, it allows them to take great care of kids and their learning. - Legacy of Learning
So, in our efforts to commit to systems, processes, and structures that grow academic achievement, let's not forget to create an environment that is disciplined about noticing and nourishing the good in others. As Elizabeth Gilbert says in her book, Big Magic, “The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them." Let's help people find them. And let's create an environment that helps us find the beauty in others too.
As we bring 2023 to a close, many of us will be focused on our own resolutions and that's wonderful. But I have to wonder if the way to truly create a new reality inside and outside of our schools is to start thinking about how we are going to grow and learn together. Less bounce. More super bounce.
I need to learn that trust that I am enough and doing enough and not everything is worth the same level of effort. And some of this stuff isn't worth much if any effort at all.
And the only thing you control at the end of the day is you. So, you either change yourself or you change where you grow. These are our only options. But let's be thoughtful about who we build with in 2024.
Before I knew it, I wasn't just playing kickball at recess, cutting tops off yogurts for kindergarteners, or walking through classrooms every day, I was falling more deeply into a sense of care, community, and us-ness with students and staff.
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!
Meetings can fuel our sense of connection, can expand our learning, and can move important work forward. There is some art and science to it but if we commit ourselves to growing our meeting facilitation skills, it can do wonders for how we work together, our happiness levels, and ultimately, what we achieve.
So, when it feels hopeless, thankless, and heavy, let's give ourselves the rest we need. And when there seems to be no amount of rest that can give us the energy we need, let's lean into wholeheartedness. Let's be present with others and ask thoughtful questions. Let's encourage them and nourish their greatest hopes for the positive impact they desire. Let's celebrate their unique individual magic with specificity and a genuine spirit.
MEGHAN LAWSON 