"When we learn how to teach, we must also consider what it will feel like to teach."
Chapter 13
In the midst of tough school days and classes, there is something unique in us that pushes us to wake up, get ourselves to school, and give the best of ourselves. There is something in you that drives you. Chapter 13 shares about the importance of our why. While this does not fix all problems, it is a crucial reminder to each teacher to re-engage that young version of ourselves who was once excited and wanting to teach. We each have the power to see the profession differently and to remember our why. This will move the tough situations just that much better. We each have the power to maintain our joy and our compassion. Endeavor to be bold. Endeavor to be different. That is the power of remembering our why.
Questions:
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What is the single best quality of yourself that you can give to your students each day? This is your superpower. How can you maintain your superpower, even when things are difficult in your classroom? What advice do you have to help others maintain their superpower?
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When you think back to when you wanted to become a teacher, what was your why? Is your why the same now? What has affected your why? If something has gotten in the way of your why, is there a way for you to see all this differently?
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Share your superpowers and your why. Celebrate them with those near you.
Resources:
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Unveiling the True Superpowers Within..... »
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What’s Your Work Superpower (and its Shadow Side)? »
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Quotes:
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“We cannot give people permission to treat us however they want. That leads to disempowerment, and we don’t want that.”
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“We have the opportunity in teaching to better the situations in front of us. All we ever need and want is a bettering. Not a perfecting.”
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“There is something in you that makes you do this job–and do it well–even within all the difficulty.”
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“What you do better than anyone else is your why. Remind yourself of your why. Hold it close.”
