BROADCASTS.com

There are few things more frustrating than working hard and not seeing a ton of results.\xa0
\xa0
It\u2019s even worse when your hard work is unappreciated, and you\u2019re criticized for not doing enough or for doing things wrong.
\xa0
When you\u2019re trying your absolute best to teach well in a pandemic, the reality is that\xa0your best might not always be good enough.\xa0
\xa0
Sometimes what you\u2019re able to give really isn\u2019t sufficient.\xa0
\xa0
Of course you feel inadequate, when you know what you\u2019re capable of under optimal circumstances, and also know you\u2019re not working with anything\xa0even close\xa0to optimal circumstances.
\xa0
So the only options are to try to single handedly compensate for all the adverse circumstances and perform at a superhuman level every day, or adjust our expectations.
\xa0
You know which choice I\u2019m going to advocate for.
\xa0
I want you to let go of the \u201cshoulds\u201d and regrets about this school year. I want you to celebrate the small wins, instead of focusing on all the things that aren\u2019t happening.
\xa0
I\u2019m going to talk more on that next week.
\xa0
For now, I want you to focus more on who you are becoming, instead of what you are able to do (or not do) for your students.
\xa0
Ask yourself,\xa0Who do I want to be on the other side of pandemic teaching? What kind of teacher \u2014 and what kind of human \u2014 do I want this experience to shape me into?\xa0
\xa0
Because in our rush to figure out logistics and lessons and activities \u2026 we can\u2019t forget that who we ARE is more impactful than what we DO.
\xa0
Our beliefs, values, and worldview shape the way we interact with kids and impact every decision we make, from classroom management to curriculum.
\xa0
Unpacking our identities and the \u201cwho\u201d we bring to the classroom can be a grounding force that holds us steady through change.
\xa0
Of course, you don\u2019t have the time or mental bandwidth right now for a deep meditation on who you are as a person and a teacher. And as always, I\u2019m encouraging you not to make this more complicated than it is.\xa0
\xa0
Self-reflection is a continual process, and it\u2019s often more about\xa0letting go instead of trying harder.
\xa0
Focus on showing up as your true, whole, healed, essential self \u2026 letting go of any thoughts, beliefs, and actions that don\u2019t serve the highest good. At your core, you are loving, patient, kind, and compassionate. You are full of life and energy and purpose.
\xa0
All the traits that are counter to that are simply baggage and coping mechanisms you\u2019ve picked up along the way in your journey through life in a very challenging world. They\u2019re reactions you\u2019ve developed as a result of fear, emotional wounds, defensiveness, prejudice, biases, outside expectations, and so on.
\xa0
Growing as a person can be an act of returning to yourself and embracing who you really are, instead of trying to constantly change or improve yourself.
\xa0
Your very existence, your presence in the classroom, has value. And the more that you show up with an open heart and mind, free from limiting beliefs about yourself, your students, and your school, the more your essential self will shine through.
\xa0
So as you plan what you need to DO for kids \u2026 don\u2019t forget to think about who you need to BE. Your essential self \u2014 who you are at your core \u2014 is exactly the person your students need this year.\xa0
\xa0
Sending you much love and support.

Sign up for the\xa0Power Through series emails on this page here.