The holidays are filled with time spent with friends and
family. Hopefully, as you enter back into the work week, you’re able to
carry-over the positive thinking from your time with loved ones (and leave the
crazy moments that caused you stress behind)! Since we live in such an acronym
crazed society, I did a lot of thinking about “FAMILY” over the last two weeks
and the ways that the groups of people we’re most connected to, TRULY embrace
what family is all about… looking out for, caring for, and doing what’s in the
best interest of others. Sure, some of these groups of people are blood-related
family, but there are others that we consider family also… like groups we share
hobbies/interests with (CrossFit, book
clubs, ski groups, etc.), those in our line of work (don’t your colleagues, students, others in NTN, feel like a family too
you?!?!), those we might be connected to through other networks and/or
social media outlets (video gamers, financial awareness groups, weight loss
groups, etc.) . Aren’t the groups of
people you’re most closely connected to considered family for those reasons?!
Do they not keep your best interest in mind?! SURE THEY DO!!!
F.A.M.I.LY. = Forget
About Me, I Love You!
For those groups you see as family (and your own family, of
course), I hope that’s for the reason that they are willing to forget about
their own wants/needs to help support and serve you first. Do all families
demonstrate this characteristic? No. But I sure wish they would! Let’s think
about your classroom for a minute. If you REALLY want your students connecting
to one another and to you in a way that generates deep conversations and builds
positive relationships, then shouldn’t your classroom culture foster one of
putting other’s needs ahead of your own? Forget About Me, I Love You.
This is more than just a culture of being connected to one
another on a level of “well, I know everyone’s name,” but a culture of engaging
in the work and interests of one another, seeking out interactions together in
an effort to learn & solve problems together, taking the idea of a
team-teacher or student to manage a complex task… Forget About Me (and what I
might want or feel is the right way to do something in the moment), I Love You
(and want to build upon your thinking and interests).
As educators, we long for our students to look out for one
another. To treat each other with respect, for who we are as people, for our
ideas, and for the work we do. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen on its own!
Are you modeling what it
looks/sounds like to be a genuine family member in your classroom and your
school? Do you put others before yourself? How do your colleagues know that
(what does it look or sound like to them)? How do your students see/hear you
doing that? What area(s) of your life with your school family can you get
better at putting their wants/needs first? Forget About Me, I Love You.
Peace, love, and family time!
Sarah
No comments:
Post a Comment