I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on being an educator during a year that I personally find to be the most challenging in my 16 years of teaching. Here are some thoughts I wanted to share:
Reflections
Pandemic has brought with it extraordinary challenges that have invariably led to exhaustion and reevaluating of priorities and reassessment of choices for so many. Like any other moment of crisis, the pandemic has also produced a widely used set of vocabulary to communicate the current reality we live in. Some words hold within them the hope and possibility of a brighter future, of needed change, of grounded optimism. Other words feel empty. For me, the 2 phrases that feel trite, overused and inadequate in expressing the actual needs of the humans that show up to teach and learn, lead and inspire are “self-care”and “unprecedented.” Inherently there is nothing wrong with these words, yet the context that defines their usage (can you tell I’m an ENL teacher? ) identifies a problem without so much as attempting to consider a meaningful and sustainable solution.
A blog on EdSurge quotes Larry Felazzo, the award-winning teacher who writes a popular education blog and a teacher advice column, “I teach in an almost ideal situation and I’m exhausted after just the first month of this year. I don’t know how others who might be in less than ideal situations are handling it.”
I could have written these words myself.
In my work with leaders in education, I focus on reflective practices as a means of understanding and meeting the needs of our communities.
So, this is a call to action.
We see the problems. Let’s consider better solutions.
Educators are people with an extraordinary capacity to care, overcome challenges, innovate and create. Let’s not settle for prescriptions of self care as the answer to teacher exhaustion; it is just one puzzle piece of a much larger picture. Let’s think about what we actually need. Let’s be specific. Let’s consider our actual realities and think of 1 thing we can do differently to lessen the load. The responsibility of change lies with all of us. It is not easy but it is so necessary because the pace and vibration of this last semester is not sustainable. We see that. We know that. What are we going to do about it?
Moving Forward
We’ve been taught by society that achievements must be extraordinary. But I disagree. Achievements and progress live in the everyday. So instead of setting a BAG (a big audacious goal) lets commit to an ESC (an extraordinary small change).
Here are some suggestions on HOW to do that.
1. Start by noticing.
2. Acknowledge specific issues.
3. Assess opportunities for small changes.
4. Set achievable goals.
5. Check in.
6. Reflect by asking these questions: What am I trying to achieve? What is working? Why? What is not working? Why? What do I need to achieve my small goal?
As we close our 2021, let’s reflect on what has worked, what has inspired us, what our bright spots were. Let’s look at our challenges and slow down. Let’s be a community that doesn’t settle for the “should” but works together to achieve greatness in our work and our profession.
A year ago I began a leadership journey at The Teachers Lounge. This community has inspired me every single day to show up, to do better, to work harder and to be more engaged. I thank you for this kindness. If you are an educator who believes in human centered education, pop into our group. We’d love to continue our journey of learning and support together.
The Teachers Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteacherslounge1
With reflection and a commitment to the possibilities,
xo, Masha