So, I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. I believe in constantly trying to be a better version of myself each and every day, I don't need the start of a new year to resolve to do that. However, this #oneword has really taken off the past few years, thanks to @JonGordon11, and I love it! I do believe in the power of reflecting on where you have been and on where you want to go in order to create clarity and a true focus. After a little discernment, I settled on my #oneword.
Rise holds some personal applications this year, but also many professional ones. I am halfway through my first year out of the classroom as an instructional coach. When I graduated college in 2009, I thought I would be a classroom teacher my entire career. Being a teacher had been my dream since I was a little girl and I had no intentions of being an administrator. My passion was in building relationships with my students, revealing their potential, and setting them on the path to following their own dreams. The last eight years, my primary focus was the 140 students within the four walls of my classroom. But, slowly, over the course of my career, I felt I could grow my impact beyond the classroom by stepping into those of my colleagues. I went back to school, twice, and continued to grow and learn. I found a new passion in best teaching practices and in empowering students to take ownership of their learning. I took risks and encouraged my students to do the same. Most days I learned more from them than they did from me.
So, what does this have to do with Rise? Teaching is hard and there is never enough time. Okay, I said it. Yes, it is a hard job, physically, mentally and emotionally. Yes, time is our biggest enemy. We are constantly battling the choice of staying on pace with curriculum or taking a step back to ensure all students have mastered the content. We have the choice to let those be excuses and the foundation of all our complaints or we can rise to meet the challenges of being an educator. Teaching is the hardest job, yet the most rewarding when we see our students succeed. Time is our biggest enemy, yet we make the biggest difference in the smallest moments.
This year I will rise. My challenge will be to empower others to rise. But, if I can do that, not only does it impact the 93 teachers on my campus, but also the 1300 students sitting in their classrooms. And so begins my journey beyond the classroom...
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| I took this photo one morning from the third floor of Cypress Park High School looking out towards downtown Houston. |
Rise holds some personal applications this year, but also many professional ones. I am halfway through my first year out of the classroom as an instructional coach. When I graduated college in 2009, I thought I would be a classroom teacher my entire career. Being a teacher had been my dream since I was a little girl and I had no intentions of being an administrator. My passion was in building relationships with my students, revealing their potential, and setting them on the path to following their own dreams. The last eight years, my primary focus was the 140 students within the four walls of my classroom. But, slowly, over the course of my career, I felt I could grow my impact beyond the classroom by stepping into those of my colleagues. I went back to school, twice, and continued to grow and learn. I found a new passion in best teaching practices and in empowering students to take ownership of their learning. I took risks and encouraged my students to do the same. Most days I learned more from them than they did from me.
So, what does this have to do with Rise? Teaching is hard and there is never enough time. Okay, I said it. Yes, it is a hard job, physically, mentally and emotionally. Yes, time is our biggest enemy. We are constantly battling the choice of staying on pace with curriculum or taking a step back to ensure all students have mastered the content. We have the choice to let those be excuses and the foundation of all our complaints or we can rise to meet the challenges of being an educator. Teaching is the hardest job, yet the most rewarding when we see our students succeed. Time is our biggest enemy, yet we make the biggest difference in the smallest moments.
"Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others."
- John Maxwell
This year I will rise. My challenge will be to empower others to rise. But, if I can do that, not only does it impact the 93 teachers on my campus, but also the 1300 students sitting in their classrooms. And so begins my journey beyond the classroom...
You’ve made a great start! I’m looking forward to following this next journey of yours!
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