Educators across the nation have returned to their respective schools after having up to a week off for the Thanksgiving Holiday. A few may have minor scars or sore limbs from venturing out into stores for some Black Friday shopping. Others may have just rolled out of bed after spending their break in a deep state of hibernation after falling into a food coma. Despite the fact that not everyone celebrates the holiday, as the year concludes, many people begin reflecting on the previous 11 months of the year. Questions begin to formulate in their heads such as…What have I accomplished? How can I improve for the upcoming year? What were my highs and lows of the year? “New Year’s Resolutions,” what’s that? What can I do differently next year? What am I truly thankful for?
Oprah Winfrey once stated to “be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” As we express gratitude for all the things that life affords us, we must never settle…even in the classroom! While the Winter Holiday is quickly approaching, let’s enter our classrooms with a “marathon mentality.” It may be easy to think, that you are drawing close to the finish line, with the semester ending, but the new year will begin how the current year ends. Even if you are currently in 1st Place, do not get complacent with your lesson plans, teaching strategies, or classroom procedures. Do not let an opportunity pass that could have been the life-changing moment for one of your young students. It is the moment that a racer lets up on the gas on the final stretch, that the running up takes the lead. There are some devastating opponents in the lives of our students, and some of our colleagues, that can not be allowed to reach the goal line.
It is better to be in a strong 2nd place, than a weak 1st place, so it is imperative that you pace yourself. That is a part of adopting a “marathon mentality!” While preparing for a marathon, a novice athlete should know to increase their weekly mileage no more than 10%, to schedule 3-4 runs a week, alternate easy & hard days, and to monitor their heart rate. As you enjoy the various holiday seasons, take the time to check your heart as well! Whether you are a seasoned veteran or new-hire, re-visit you “why.” What is your purpose in the school setting and how did you reach the point where you currently are? As we prepare to enter the year 2020, let’s make sure that we do everything needed to have a clear vision of what will take our students, staff, and schools to the Next Level! In the year 2020, be the BEST version of yourself!
-The Jeremy Anderson Group