Just trying to do what I love….
Positive insight to a situation that could be perceived as negative: I can’t even tell you how many turns my life has taken in the past year. Some I’ve grown from, some have hurt me deeply, some have taught me life lessons that I wasn’t even ready for, some have made me appreciate ALL that is around me. Some have upset me….some have brought me to tears. But in the end, I can truly say that: I.AM.BLESSED. The following quote rings true:
Man, I have had some tough days….
After teaching for 21 years- doing what I LOVED. I came to the realization that being in the classroom just wasn’t for me any longer. There were many factors that went towards that decision. Some being:
- Children are not data points or numbers.
- Adults not acting like mature adults…. in reality…. cattiness and just downright not following The Golden Rule was becoming more in the forefront.
- Teachers not being appreciated or valued for ALL the HARD work they were doing, the TIME they were putting towards ALL that was expected of them, and their families were struggling at the lack of (in my case) wife/mom/stepmom being in the present.
I ended my career truly discouraged for the future of education. Losing what I thought were “true” friends, and realizing that in fact they were not. It all happens when we follow others, or don’t follow through with what our HEART tells us to do.
Noone is perfect. We all make mistakes. Give. Grace.
All of the above saddens me to my core.
AND THEN….
I started doing some field experience hours at a campus that relit that fire for me. I saw staff morale at a HIGH….I saw colleagues being there FOR each other versus AGAINST each other.
I saw administrators doing everything they could to make SURE that everyone they led were appreciated and valued. I saw staff/community/students, etc. work together to put on some of the best “Family Nights” or “Events.”
Positive insight….
Which gave me hope.
However, I have made the very, very TOUGH decision to not complete my Masters in Education Administration. God made it very apparent to me that “my plan” wasn’t “His plan.”
One thing I do know FOR SURE is that my passion is still children. It is still curriculum….making engaging resources to HELP both teachers and students in the classroom. Where my future leads…only God knows…. but, I do know that I will continue to blog, create resources, and help ANYone in the Education field WHENEVER I can.
If I have learned anything within this last two weeks (due to my best friend since Kindergarten going through some of life’s most difficult times) is LIVE for the moment. APPRECIATE everything. SPEND TIME doing what you LOVE. Try to see the LIGHT in all situations.
HELP others when you can. Even when you think you don’t have the means to help; you can. LOVE at all times. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and see it from their viewpoint. That may be difficult at times, but it sure can be a slap in the face if you aren’t having grace like you should.
SHINE YOUR LIGHT. FOR ALL TO SEE. You never know when someone is dealing with so much, they are at the end of their rope…but acting as though everything is okay.
More positive insight….
With all of this being said, the holidays can be both POSITIVE…and bring negative for some.
Do what you can to be the best YOU. Observe what is around you. If your child has a teacher….show them you APPRECIATE THEM. If you have a best friend…. make them feel as so. LOVE your family while you have them here. Forget wrongdoings, as we ALL have done them.
Come to work with a smile on your face because your students (or colleagues) deserve it. Be a shoulder for others to cry on. Be there to listen, give advice when needed, and be silent when the situation calls for silence.
If you have any type of resentment towards administration…..sit back, observe, and TRY to see that they are in this for YOU.
Be PRESENT when at home. Your loved ones deserve it.
Most of all, give yourself GRACE. Everyone needs it, deserves it, and should give it.
Be thankful. For we are all blessed.
Just my 2 cents during this holiday season,
The Bright Cookie
“Positive insight….to a situation that could be perceived as negative..”
