Know Your WHY

I took a break from the Blog to get caught up on Phoenix and ParentVUE. I've realized that keeping up with assignments is a never-ending project, and I just needed to push pause because I could keep working on it all day, every day, and I still wouldn't keep up. We've been working hard creating new leadership, math, and science lessons for you as well, and there's always one more thing we could add, tweak, or revise. However, I am missing my time for sleeping, exercising, and spending time with my family. I clearly need to work on my Habit 7: Sharpening the Saw.

So tonight after dinner, I walked away from the computer and took a walk with Mr. Arnwine and my daughters. We enjoyed the wonderful scents of the white blooming flowers in the woods along our walking path. We listened to all of the different birds, one of which sounded like it was laughing! We had to step off the path to let some bikes pass us, and when we did, we turned and saw 2 big, brown bunnies! Normally, we might have been annoyed that we had to pause during our walk, but by being forced to wait, my family saw something exciting! Walking a little farther along the path, we saw a baby bunny, too! Our daughters were thrilled!

On our walk, I saw a chalk message that said something about "If you know your why, then your how will not be hard." I've rolled that quote over in my mind since the walk. What does that really mean?? Do you know your WHY? Why do you do what you do? Who are you and what are you about? What's your purpose?

I've realized that as a teacher, my job has a pretty important WHY. Wanting to do what is best for my students and ensure they have what they need to grow and succeed is my WHY. You do know teachers did not become teachers just to help make sure everyone gets good grades, right? There's a bigger reason - our purpose: to help our students develop the love of learning so they can become the best versions of themselves and reach their highest potential.

As a parent, my WHY is pretty similar. I want my daughters to have what they need to become the best, happiest humans they can. I want them to become who they are meant to be, and I can help provide the environment, love, and guidance for them to develop their characteristics, skills, talents, and personalities.

So these are my huge reasons WHY I do what I do. It seems that the 5th grade team I am privileged to call my teammates this year have similar reasons WHY they do what they do. Really, I don't know any CCE Teachers who don't understand why we are teachers. Sometimes, on a hard day, it's harder to see through the frustration or sadness, but when we focus on our WHY, we find the motivation to figure out HOW to get out of that fog. We want what is best for our students, and we won't stop working towards that goal. We have a purpose and our WHY. It's YOU - our STUDENTS!