Before you read the post, take a couple minutes to watch this short video.
This time last year everything was different. We had a different administrative staff. We had computer labs instead of laptops. We had different colleagues working alongside of us. I have struggled with these changes and even the concept of change all year. I have asked myself are we changing for the better. I have wondered if the struggles associated with this job and the changes that are occurring are really worth it. After thought, important conversations, and serious reflection I have realized that I have not handled many of this years changes and challenges gracefully. In fact I have been a complete Debbie downer.
After reflecting on my attitude and general disposition towards all the changes that have occurred professionally for me this year, I realized that positive change does not occur unless we are willing to move forward with faith and conviction and positive creativity. I find inspiration in the quote: “be the change you wish to see in the world”. After reflection, I realize that I am not living that quote. Instead I am sitting around moping about change and feeling sorry for myself. What kind of role model am I? What kind of example am I setting for my students?
I want to be the type of educator that pushes boundaries. One that encourages kids to question the status quo. One that evokes passion and potential in the people that she comes across. One that inspires students to take their ideas to the next level. One that sets high standards and allows kids to feel empowered and valuable. Educators like this don’t push, encourage, evoke, and inspire kids with a bad attitude and a bad look on their face. I have to ask myself what am I doing to make a positive change? Without this reflective attitude nothing is going to improve around me. Without the courage to question my kids, my administration, my colleagues and most importantly myself nothing good will come from the goals I set. Nothing valuable will ever be accomplished if I am not willing to sometimes check my feelings at the door and move forward to achieve the goal ahead.
When I feel like I’m not doing enough to make the world better or to make my classroom better or to make the lives of my kids better, I watch the video by Micael McMillain called “Paper Airplanes” and it inspires me to change my attitude. It reminds me that sometimes we have to put our “big girl panties” on, get over ourselves, and do what it takes to move forward. It allows me to think about what it means to have a vision and what it means to follow through with that vision until the end. Becoming the best high school in North Carolina is a shift in vision for Carson High School. It is a bold vision and a high goal. Becoming the best high school in North Carolina is a valuable and worthwhile goal that I believe we can achieve it if we all work together, continue to measure our progress, take action, ask questions, and move forward with creativity. Goals like this are never met when people stand back and watch with a bad attitude. I want to be someone who jumps in with both feet and inspires others to join me. If we all jump in - if we all get on board - if we all check our attitudes… Imagine the positive changes we could make in kids lives. Imagine the goals we could meet together. It is an exciting time for Carson High school and next year we will all look back and say “this time last year everything was different.”
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