When I stumbled on this quote by Hannah Brencher online, it gave me pause. When was the last time I stopped and looked at what I was carrying with me? The answer - probably never. I'm a packrat at heart with teaching resources that span age 3 through high school. I haven't been able to get rid of them since I subscribe to the attitude "you never know when you might need that." You can imagine that this hoarding of teaching materials most likely extends to the hoarding of memories, experiences, feelings, and beliefs.
I love the imagery of the bag and thinking through what I might take out. I feel lighter just thinking about pulling out worry of the unknown, negative self-talk, and the belief that I am not enough. Why do I let old wounds stick around and influence me today? It's time to sit down with this bag and do some re-packing. I'm ready to move forward with a lighter weight on my shoulders. What about you? What are you ready to leave behind? What is critical for you to keep in your bag? Where do you draw the line? You probably have your classroom management plan all figured out, but have you taken an equal amount of time to figure out your time management plan? Do you have boundaries set for what you are willing/not willing to do? If you haven't taken this step for yourself, please consider tackling this before the school year gets rolling. By setting boundaries for yourself, you will be able to quickly respond to requests, re-capture some of your precious time, and be more in control of your life. Here are some topics to consider when setting boundaries:
Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize-winning novelist, passed away this past Monday. If there is one quote of hers that sticks with me, it is the one in the above picture: "If there is a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." This is how I feel about life in general. If you don't like your situation, you have the power to change it.
When I look at our education system in the United States, I see elements that are working and those that clearly are not. We have the power to create change by asking questions, sharing insights, and advocating for a better way. Tuned in Teachers is a vehicle for change by putting teacher well-being at the top of the priority list. Teachers cannot be effective if they are struggling. We need to advocate for better systems that support the whole teacher at every stage of their career. Here are some questions you may consider asking the next time you are in a decision-making meeting at school:
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