Reconnect. Refresh. Reimagine.
This is one of my favorite quotes. It reminds me that my work as an educator and leader is not written in any job description that I have ever had or will have. The work of unearthing the genius in every child is work of the HEART and SOUL. It requires that we see and value each one and celebrate all they bring to the learning experience. More importantly, it requires that we first connect deeply with ourselves so that we can show up in powerful ways for our students and their families.
The challenges of the last few years have left many of us feeling uncertain, helpless and exhausted. We have been affected both personally and professionally. If you have not already done so, I invite you to consider that it is time to RECONNECT, REFRESH and REIMAGINE.
RECONNECT
It is important to start at the beginning. Ask yourself the questions, “What makes my soul come alive?” “When do I feel as if I am operating in my zone of genius?” “What do I value most?” “Am I growing?”. Check in with yourself and go back to your ‘WHY”. Remind yourself of your purpose, which only you can identify, and make sure it aligns with what you are doing and where you are in your journey. It was Mark Twain who said, where your passions and the needs of the world collide, therein lies your purpose. Take some time to RECONNECT with you. When you know your ‘WHY,’ the ‘WHAT’ becomes easier.
REFRESH
For educators, no two days are the same. Let’s face it, not all superheroes wear capes. We wear many different hats, put out numerous fires, all while doing our best to fan the flames of curiosity, confidence and joy in our students . We want them to be their best selves, but the question is, are we showing up as our best selves. The saying is true “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Is anything in your cup? What do you need in your cup in order to be the best teacher or leader there is? How do you ensure it keeps being refilled? REFRESH yourself and be surprised as to how much clearer things become. Do what works for you each day. Sit in your car before entering the building, take some moments at lunch time, set office hours and don’t let other people’s ‘urgent’ become your ‘important’. REFRESH your thinking. Check your toolbox and sharpen your skills. Be open to the fact that some practices are outdated, inefficient and no longer effective. It may be time to hit the reset button.
REIMAGINE
The times we are living in call for courageous, visionary, compassionate and transformational leadership. Nothing else will do. Chris Emdin reminds us that we must “teach like the world is on fire…teach trauma, teach healing, teach love, teach like the future of our society depends on it…do so simply because it does.” As educators we must have the most expansive vision and hope for our children, even when they do not yet have it for themselves. Ours is the task to create opportunities and limitless possibilities for them to thrive. Let us REIMAGINE the purpose of Education together and consider new and improved ways of making every school a good school, where students and teachers know that they matter, feel safe, loved and valued and where communities are enriched.
