Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a time when we all have a chance to reflect on the things we are grateful for. In my #Leadership Academy program, I stress that taking time to be #grateful more often is very beneficial for an individual’s growth and #compassion. I am glad that we take the time every year, but this year has been challenging for me - and taking time to acknowledge all of the things that I am grateful for has been helpful as I faced some of those challenges.

As you may recall from an earlier post, I saw that a door was starting to close for me. I was hurt, and my #confidence took a hit as that door closed and I lost hope for my impact as a teacher. I had some great friends and family remind me of other doors, doors I didn’t know existed.

My sister told me, “You don’t have to go from teaching to teaching.”

My dear colleague suggested that I find a hobby, which at the time I was unable to identify.

These moments were the start of something new for me, and I am grateful for those moments more than they will ever know.

I created the products you see on my website, and I started writing my blog. I saw other #opportunities beyond just, ‘teaching.’

Then the door was slammed shut, and I went really low. I felt washed up and lost. Another dear friend put me in contact with a productivity coach, who told me my vision and ideas were important to create, especially right now. Through her #coaching and confidence in my work, I developed the Leadership Academy. Once I started, it just flowed out of me.

I am super grateful for my #husband who has read everything I have created and given me #feedback, suggestions, and “comma support.” He has had my back through all of these transitions, and I don’t know where I would be without him by my side. My children have been my guinea pigs; they are working on character traits like integrity, gratitude, courage, and empathy. It has been a challenge for them, but I am so proud of them and the people they are becoming. My extended family has helped test the products, and encouraged me as well. So many people have supported me through this journey.

While I am not grateful for #COVID, the timing of it has taught me and challenged me as a teacher to think beyond the box, not just outside of the box. Students need a voice, and I often give them the opportunity to share, but I see more and more opportunities to ask them about how this new way of learning is working for them. I am so glad to be forced to do it more, and encourage my colleagues and fellow teachers on the web to do the same thing. As I was developing this program during COVID, I realized I had to create something that is applicable to both online as well as in person audiences. So while I am not grateful for a worldwide pandemic, I am grateful for the timing, and the time I was able to spend refocusing my efforts.

I am grateful for the networks and connections I have made these last several months, as they have opened my access to so many partners and experts. I am grateful for this energy I feel to create #curriculum and #activities to make a better world for all of us, and I look forward to sharing my vision with anyone willing to grow with me!