I'm not sharing that to brag, or cry for help, although I see why you might think that. To say I've been busy is an understatement. Several colleagues have asked how I am able to manage all this, and I usually respond with a lot of luck and a little time management. But some things have begun to slip- namely this blog and my class reflection blog. What has happened is I have begun to prioritize what matters most, and what is most necessary. The one criteria I use to answer this priority question is simple:
What helps others the most?
This thought has always guided me. I think it's at the heart of why I teach- helping others become better at the things they are seeking to grow in.
In fact, I'd wager it's at the heart of why many of us teach. Sure, we start because we love the subject matter, but if that's all it ever is, we burn out, or move into a job that deals with the subject matter but pays more and has better hours. But if we love helping people, we don't care about the pay (ok, we still care a little about the pay) or how difficult it is to deal with students and new standards. We do what we do because we believe we can help others- students and teachers and parents and our communities.
It may seem selfish that I include grad school, but I believe my journey to become an administrator is ultimately about being able to help others on a bigger scale. Working with our campus and district coaching crews, and looking at some of the things I have on my plate for next year that deal with providing teachers with tools for helping others has made me see that I want to help others grow, because that's what makes me grow.
Helping students find their voice in my speech and debate classes, helping them find identity and sometimes callings in my psychology and sociology classes, and aiding teachers to find ways to improve their craft are all the things that make me come more alive. Those moments when I see growth in others that I had a small hand in makes the weeks of work to get there seem so very worth it.
As I packed up files from professional developments and my work in coaching, along with student work that showed tremendous growth, I felt I'd helped. Knowing there was a student that I started the year wanting to get them out of my class but now I am inviting to join my speech team makes me feel accomplished. Not because of academic progress, but because I helped them find their voice, and to mature just a little more. Seeing students grow in ways tests don't measure is exactly why I teach.
I teach because I want to help people find their voice, their role, and a better place than when we started in August. I teach because there is great challenge in reaching a new generation to grow for the better.
When I close up my room each spring, I look back on the year. My final reflection. I measure my success not in awards earned, tests passed or even graduates with diplomas.
I measure success by the notes that say "thanks for helping." I measure success by the people who are in a better place because I helped.
I just hope to increase my time of reflection on this measure of success each year.
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