Living Resiliency

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 students better, and remember that I am still learning, too.

I — Improvement happens through small steps forward. It is building my skills, adjusting my approach, and recognizing that meaningful progress takes time.

E — Endurance is the strength to work through difficult seasons. For me, that also means recognizing when I need rest or help so I can continue.

N — Noble describes the person I strive to be: someone who stays true to her values during hard times and responds with honesty, kindness, and integrity.

C — Courage is taking the next step even when I feel afraid or unsure. Sometimes it means trying something different, asking for help, or admitting that something is hard.

Y — Yielding is the ability to bend under pressure. It means being flexible, adjusting my expectations, and allowing myself to approach a challenge differently.

When I reflect on resiliency, I think about facing obstacles while holding on to my sense of purpose. My current position has tested me in ways I never imagined. Some days, simply finding my footing takes everything I have.

At the end of the day, the relationships help keep me going. The encouragement and support I receive, along with my own desire to grow, help me take the next step.

I am learning daily, improving slowly, and sometimes enduring hourly. I am also learning to give myself grace and remember that a difficult moment does not define who I am.

It is easy to feel confident when everything is going well. When I am pushed to my limit, I have to practice trusting what I know, accepting support, and making room for what I still need to learn.

As I finish this week, I realize that resiliency is something I am living every day—in the adjustments I make, the help I accept, and the courage it takes to try again.

I can do hard things, one day at a time.

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The Teacher I'm Becoming

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