My “Why” as an Educator

Why?

• My purpose is to keep and maintain a “Whatever It Takes” mindset. I will be fair-minded, compassionate,  patient, and empathetic with students, staff, and parents. I will be a visible presence to all around me and always be available to handle concerns with respect, kindness, and a spirit of understanding of other people’s perspectives. I will also embrace “courageous conversations” that are necessary for the improvement of student performance, professional relationships, and classroom culture.
• I do what I do because I believe that each student has the ability to learn. It may not be the same way or the same day, but with love, uplifting, and positive space, they are all able.  I am completely invested in creating a comfortable, respectable, loving, and engaging space for my students. I also want a student-centered learning environment in my classroom. I want my classroom to be a place where my students and I will grow. I want us to obtain a growth mindset.

How?

• Each day I wake up knowing the impact that I want to make on my students. I want them to be lifelong learners. I want us to be fearless and take chances when it comes to our learning. Together we can achieve our personal and planned goals by having a growth mindset. In order to make my plan work, I make sure that I try my best to capture my students’ hearts each and every day. I do this by having charisma and trying my best to reach them each and every day.

What?

• I encourage my students to take ownership of their own futures by being innovative in the classroom. I use innovative practices in my classroom daily. My students also use technology to help promote their learning. I have also adopted the COVA framework to transform and impact our learning environment. Being able to have choice, ownership, voice and authentic learning opportunities helps my students take charge of their own academic journey. My main goal is to prepare them for their future and instill in them to have a mindset that there are “endless possibilities” when it comes to their future. There is no “glass ceiling” that will prohibit them from reaching their goals. I am extremely passionate and dedicated to prepare my students for the “real world”. My goal is for them to be academically prepared and not be afraid to make mistakes during their growth process. I want them to recognize all of their small and large milestones, and appreciate all of their growth. My students will be to creating  E-portfolios that will help them measure their growth. E-portfolios will give them the opportunity to look and reflect on their progress. This will be beneficial to my students as they enter higher education.

I refer to this video often to remember my “Why”. Teachers like Mr. Jensen are as precious as diamonds. He influenced his student to pursue his own goals and not feel pressured. His student eventually followed his dreams to become a successful drummer in a band.

I can relate to Mr. Jenson, because I have student like his that have come through my classroom each year. There is no such thing as a student who can not learn. You simply have to find ways to connect with their likes, backgrounds and interests. I take time to find out their interests at the beginning of each year with a small activity or icebreaker. Mr. Jensen was observant and captured his students heart, by letting him know he has been acknowledging him and that he truly cares about him and his future.

The Importance of my Why, What and How

While reflecting I have been thinking about why my personal “Why, What and How” is important to me. It is significant because it helps me to remember what my mission is. As an educator my mission is to help my students become the best versions of themselves. I also want them to recognize and appreciate their small and large gains. They need to know the “Importance of Yet” and how it will help them get to where they want to be eventually. By referring back to my “why” it can help me reach my students and colleagues hearts. This is important because the heart is where change actually begins. If I can capture their hearts first I know I will be able to influence their thought process and help them learn.

Simon Sinek stated, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it,” in his How Great Leaders Inspire Action Ted Talks. This is statement is valuable because as a leader or innovator of change we have to be aware of our purpose and our why. We have to reach our students and people around us by staying our authentic selves and being true to our full purpose. As educators we all invested in a higher purpose as a career choice. We shape, mold and encourage our students everyday while giving 100% our hearts and souls. This is not an easy task, but it is so worth it. At the end of the day I fall asleep happy knowing that I am pouring my heart into what I love to do each and everyday.

My Goals

My Goals

1. Passion
2. Vision
3. Compassion
4. Innovation
5. Inspiration
6. Determination

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