The Teacher I'm Becoming

  What does resiliency mean to me? As I finish another week as a separate classroom teacher, I feel an overwhelming desire to share what resiliency looks like in my life—and to remind myself that I can do hard things. R — Relationships are the foundation of everything I do. My relationships with family, friends, students, colleagues, and mentors deepen when I humble myself, let others see my struggles, and connect on a human level. E — Encouragement is important to give and receive. There are challenges that stretch me, and sometimes another person’s kind words help me recognize progress I cannot yet see. S — Support comes from mentors and others who walk beside me. Their experience and guidance help me find my footing when I feel uncertain. I — Intrinsic motivation comes from within. It is my desire to keep trying, grow as an educator, and become the best version of myself. L — Learning is essential to growth. Every day brings opportunities to become wiser, understand my stud...

  This statement has resonated with me since Friday night. This year started whether I was ready or not. There have been so many changes all at once, including moving from a Support Facilitator to a Separate Classroom ESE Teacher for KG–3rd grade. Both of our previous assistant principals were placed at different schools, and our school welcomed a new assistant principal. When one of those previous assistant principals—my mentor—left, it hit me harder than I expected. Over the last month, I have learned a lot about myself, including both my strengths and my shortcomings. Not only did I change career paths this year, but I also changed grade levels and support staff. I will admit that meeting new people AND learning to work side-by-side with them is definitely not easy for me. I tend to put walls up, and sometimes the things I want to communicate don't come out the way I intended. One thing is for sure: I need a continuous reminder that I have walked a similar path before AND reache...