Learner. Human. Joyologist.
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, 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.
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.
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?
I couldn't get over the number of times Taylor would pause, smile, hold her hand to her heart, and seem genuinely in the moment and grateful that we showed up. It never got old. Sure, she might do that at every show. But this doesn't mean I didn't believe her. I couldn't help but smile and feel seen in the sea of fans. With genuine words of appreciation and through her body language, she communicated gratitude and kindness and care. We can all learn a little something from her in this area. This is how we want all learners to feel in school every day. Deeply seen and cared for, like they are a part of something bigger than themselves that really matters, and like their unique contributions really matter. Because they do.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MEGHAN LAWSON 