Love, Joy & Dedication

For me, change brings about a natural reflection, scoping where I was, where I am and where I want to be. This new school year has been full of change from the routine that I settled into in my undergrad. I am pursuing the final year of teaching (PYP) at Trinity Western University, I am in a Kindergarten class for the year. I couldn't be more pleased. Within this season of change I have been reading books that bring a new perspective into my life, I have been challenged by my professors and peers within my professional year cohort, and I have been having the privilege of working under a phenomenal mentor teacher for the year. Among this, I find that I am always reflecting, responding, applying, and altering. It has brought me lots of clarity, enhancing my passion for teaching and education more and more. In the beginning of the year, my cohort of professional year students and I had a two day retreat to help us get back into a mindset of being a teacher. We did the official trade of sun hats and flip flops to dress pants and big bag full of books, materials and resources. There were many intentional ‘food for thought’ pieces to ponder on, but one stuck out to me most that I have not been able to forget. The dean of education, Dr.Allyson Jule came to our group and shared her tidbit of encouragement and words of wisdom. A part of her speech was to help us understand that this year is the beginning of our professional careers. She talked about how we have this amazing opportunity to see the job, be apart of the job and indulge in all the ups and downs it comes with, as a tester almost, before the real deal. Yet, this ‘trial run’ is still where our professional career begins, before we sign a contract, and before we have our own classrooms. So, she asked us: “What do you want your reputation to be?” Here and now is where our reputation begins, that got me thinking.

In education we are taught the value of setting high standards for our students. Many studies have shown that if we, as the teacher set high standards that are achievable for our group of students, they work toward and meet them. There often is a higher achievement rate when there is a goal set ahead of time. I like to think that setting goals is like wearing glasses for the first time. Before, you could kind of tell the direction you were going, you felt your way to the end, and if you ended up close enough to where you wanted to be, it was acceptable. Otherwise, you put on the glasses, you are sure of where you are going and can decipher the best way to get there. If I want to do this for my students, I need to do this in my own life. In terms of Dr.Jule’s challenge to us, I decided that if I set out what I want my reputation to be now, I can set the track to guide my route. I want to consistently be asking myself two questions over the years:

“How am I aligning with who and what I want to be known for?”

“Am I working toward achieving my goals in a healthy manner?”

These two questions make room for me to honestly reflect back on my principles and practices, seeing how they align with my end goal, but it does not just stop there. These questions endorse a continual pursuit of moving forward, keeping myself in a healthy state of mind as I do so. I want to challenge myself to ensure that if I set these goals I am working toward them with a balanced approach. Self-reflection is not meant to tear me down, but better myself and therefore my students and their learning experience as I strive to work towards being the best teacher I can be.

I have come up with an outline of what I want my reputation to be as I move forward into teaching. This is a continuing statement that will change as I gain experience in the field and learn what is most important to me and for my students.

As I teacher I want to be known for being loving, joyful and dedicated. I want to be loving to all those who walk through my door, or I pass in the hallway. No matter what culture, sexual identity, history, opinions, likes or dislikes, I want to love you. I want to show love through hearing people out, being open to new ideas and strategies, demonstrating respect in my interactions, supporting where I can, exuding grace, patience and compassion. I want to be known for the comfort and welcoming that people feel in talking with me and being in my classroom. I want to exhibit contagious joy everywhere I go. I want to have a big smile on my face welcoming people intentionally and excitedly to the school. I want to face all situations with an optimistic mindset, recognizing that difficult scenarios are a part of the job and a part of life, let’s work through them together in the best way that we know how. I want to have a classroom that emulates joy. Joy for learning, joy for being with one another, and joy for new opportunities given to us each day. I want my lessons, activities and interactions to have this foundation. I want to be dedicated to the job, putting in the hard work to get the job done to the best of my ability. I dedicate myself to my students, staff, school, and community. I want to do what it takes to inspire and enhance these people and places. I will advocate for students, protect students and support students. I am dedicated to my significant role within the community and take its influence very seriously. I am dedicated to practicing what I preach. What I teach in my classroom, I want to live outside of my classroom. If I expect my students to treat one another in a certain way, I will treat others in that same way in and outside of my classroom. I am dedicated to developing stewards of society that are respectful, independent, kind, compassionate, creative, aware, and hard working. I am dedicated to my role as an educator.

In putting this in writing I want to be held accountable for my actions. I recognize that I am not perfect, and I expect to lack in various areas of this statement. But, I will wake up, with a smile on my face; I will put my ‘goal glasses’ on and strive to meet this standard again and again.