Find your Passion!

 

Find your passion!

As educators we naturally are passionate about student success. We say it in many different ways: “The Ah-ha moment,” when they hit their goal, when they accomplish something they didn’t think they could. Our success revolves around our student success. But I want to you to ask yourself – what are you passionate about when it comes to our craft? Is it closing student gaps? Phonics and the importance of intentionally teaching it? Helping students find connections between the Civil War and why it is important to them?

What is your favorite part about being a teacher other than the kids? What nerdy topic get you excited? What brings out your soap box? What is the thing that makes you look for better practices? Mine is growing my teachers. I want my teachers to be lifelong learners that are craving to be better. If a teacher wants to be better, then they have their students’ best interest at heart. They are wanting to grow to meet their students’ needs. Teachers that are stagnant are not looking for new ways to reach their students, they are expecting their students to align with what “has always worked.” There are many ways to invest your teachers and it is important that you look at your teachers holistically – as a whole person.

Know your teachers. Talk to them and get to know what they like, what they need, who their families are. Really listen when they talk about personal topics. Ask teachers about their kids, their pets, their weekend. You do not have to be best friends, but you do really need to care about them. When you are having these conversations, it isn’t to check off the list that you talked to them; it is to truly connect with your teachers. Some people will open up to you more than others and it is important to allow your teachers to each select the relationship they build with you – you aren’t the boss of what they share or don’t share with you.  Let the relationship grow naturally and don’t force your agenda.

Grow your teachers. When you talk to your teachers ask them about what they love about teaching – with no other agenda than to listen. When you hear them talk about the part of teaching that brings a smile to their face, that dominates the majority of their conversations, or you see them share it take over their social media; ask what you can do to help them learn more about that part. Do they need information? Look for articles that give them a start in the right direction. Do they need training? Help find professional development for them to attend. Is it resources? Help find the resources they need to be successful. Sometimes teachers need help seeing they have aspirations. They need encouragement to go after something challenging.

Love your teachers. Having a positive presupposition is going to make your life easier. If you know that your teachers are doing the best they can, what can you do to help them? Show your staff that you care; show empathy when they need it. Do things that show you care, ask for feedback on how they prefer communication, ask what you can do to lighten their load, know their love language, check in on them during the day, etc.… Remember what you would have liked when you were in the classroom and do that.

Educators all have passions about particular facets within our field. You need to find yours.