Our Why - 1 1/2 minute read
I am so grateful for everyone's participation in the 1:1 conversations. I have found this time to be one of the most important ways I have spent my time as a principal this summer. Your willingness to share what you are passionate about has helped me to understand who you are and why you all invest so much time, energy and care into our learners and their families.
You have also inspired me to articulate my own WHY for being an educator...
I began by "liking" kids. When I was babysitting, nannying or working at a daycare, I enjoyed my time interacting and connecting with children. This was coupled with the fact that I enjoyed my own school experience. While every year, teacher, class wasn't my favorite, I found myself craving the time with classmates and learning new things.
Within my first year of teaching, I found that I needed to dig a little deeper than "liking" kids as my motivation for teaching. Sometimes...and I know this is a surprise to everyone... kids do things that aren't so likable and it was the students who really struggled to find their purpose for learning that inspired my work the most. I found my WHY had become that I valued empowering all learners. I love working with learners and helping them see an identity and future that they may not even see for themselves. Then, we work together to find the tools they will need to be successful. This became my motivation for all I did in education.
Somewhere in the middle, about 10 years in, a new WHY emerged for me. As I was noting how the field of education was changing and how our culture and learners were changing, I discovered a larger WHY behind my work. I recognized that schools have the potential to hold communities together. I understand now that our responsibility to ALL learners is essential to equity within our community. I fully believe that developing a learner's voice in our school has a direct impact on how they engage with the broader community.
I believe, outside of the home and families, there is no better place to grow relationships and individuals than at school. We are developing kids who will grow up and work to ensure everyone has access to all of our community's strengths. Knowing that our work is so meaningful, gives me hope.
I will keep asking this question throughout the year. I'm so interested in hearing about our purpose and in articulating our collective purpose as a school community.
All the best to all of you,
Faith
You have also inspired me to articulate my own WHY for being an educator...
I began by "liking" kids. When I was babysitting, nannying or working at a daycare, I enjoyed my time interacting and connecting with children. This was coupled with the fact that I enjoyed my own school experience. While every year, teacher, class wasn't my favorite, I found myself craving the time with classmates and learning new things.
Within my first year of teaching, I found that I needed to dig a little deeper than "liking" kids as my motivation for teaching. Sometimes...and I know this is a surprise to everyone... kids do things that aren't so likable and it was the students who really struggled to find their purpose for learning that inspired my work the most. I found my WHY had become that I valued empowering all learners. I love working with learners and helping them see an identity and future that they may not even see for themselves. Then, we work together to find the tools they will need to be successful. This became my motivation for all I did in education.
Somewhere in the middle, about 10 years in, a new WHY emerged for me. As I was noting how the field of education was changing and how our culture and learners were changing, I discovered a larger WHY behind my work. I recognized that schools have the potential to hold communities together. I understand now that our responsibility to ALL learners is essential to equity within our community. I fully believe that developing a learner's voice in our school has a direct impact on how they engage with the broader community.
I believe, outside of the home and families, there is no better place to grow relationships and individuals than at school. We are developing kids who will grow up and work to ensure everyone has access to all of our community's strengths. Knowing that our work is so meaningful, gives me hope.
I will keep asking this question throughout the year. I'm so interested in hearing about our purpose and in articulating our collective purpose as a school community.
All the best to all of you,
Faith
Thanks for sharing. As we all start talking about our WHY, we'll find common threads among each other and begin to develop a communal mission.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's all about relationships and making a (positive) difference. I really like what you said about helping students see themselves and their futures in new ways.
ReplyDelete