Week 12

🌿 Week 12: Choosing Gratitude in the Uncomfortable

This week, I made the conscious choice to lead with gratitude. I knew my mindset had to shift if I was going to give my best — not just to my students, but to myself.

Each morning, my daughter Abby and I started our day by sharing something we were thankful for at school. It was grounding and intentional — a reminder that even in hard seasons, there is good worth naming.

Monday

I began the week thankful for my administration and ready to reset my mindset. A morning in-house meeting reminded me that I am not alone in collecting data and that sometimes support shows up where you least expect it. I left that meeting with clarity and a lighter load.

Throughout the day, I worked across grade levels — from SIPPS decoding polysyllabic words to practicing partial differences in math to coaching students on plot structure in a leveled reader. I even stretched my comfort zone by teaching small group inside the general education classroom. It reminded me: real growth requires courage.

Tuesday

Abby was thankful for her electives (baking and bowling — she’s living the dream!) and I shared how grateful I am for teachers who include me in student successes. Inclusion matters to adults too — feeling seen fills the cup.

I joined fourth-grade planning, leaned into small group rotations, supported students using token boards, and practiced patient academic prompting for a student who benefits from slower pacing. In fifth grade planning, we refined small group math strategies — and I genuinely felt humbled and grateful for administration adjusting schedules so I can push in more frequently. That trust means something.

Wednesday

Abby reminded me my gratitude had to be school-related — so I said I was thankful for my classroom (cool, calm, and upstairs… a sanctuary). I served students in reading and math, modeled division during a colleague’s formal observation, and collaborated in an IEP meeting with incredible parents. Ending the day supporting colleagues reminded me: we rise by lifting others.

Thursday

Gratitude moment: I said I was thankful for my work besties. Abby chose her teachers. 💛

The day was fast, full, unpredictable — goats that didn’t want company, behavior needs requiring flexibility, delayed schedules, small groups squeezing into tight windows, and writing summaries one step at a time. I tackled my first initial IEP meeting — intimidating but successful — and walked away reminded that learning never stops in this job.

Friday

Abby was thankful for school lunch. Relatable. I said I was thankful God uses me to support students — academically and emotionally.

My morning meeting went well, but I left feeling discouraged after being told I should only advocate before meetings, not during. This stung because advocating for students and families isn’t just something I do — it’s who I am. I needed the afternoon to regroup, breathe, and care for my mental health.

⸻

💭 Final Reflection

This job stretches me every single day — emotionally, mentally, professionally. It demands courage, flexibility, humility, and resilience. It pushes me out of comfort and into growth. And sometimes, that growth hurts.

But this week also reminded me:

✅ Gratitude is a discipline

✅ Advocacy matters — even when uncomfortable

✅ Inclusion builds belonging — for students and adults

✅ Supporting others strengthens the whole school

✅ Taking time for yourself is not weakness — it’s wisdom

There are ups and downs, and I’m learning to honor both. To show up for students, I must show up for myself first.

And that, I believe, is its own form of leadership. 🌿