Looking Ahead - Leading Self

I think my vision of the person I am supposed to be, is someone with paramount belief in my students. The students' lives have been a rollercoaster of incidents. Situations that have led them to lose belief in themselves. Our education system has also not helped much to better their situation., These core issues are what we need to tackle first. 

Another value that I think is extremely important is empathy and support. These children do not feel understood. If they are shown support when it comes to accepting them as they are, and believing that each of them has something in them that sparks joy - helping them find that one thing and amplifying that - will help them feel way more welcome in the classroom, and a sense of purpose and belonging. 

Excellence is the most important value that I want to advocate for. All these students are capable of doing really well, and evolving into really good human beings, and that is the only way to be in my classroom. We will always strive towards becoming the best version of ourselves, so that uncomfortable growth isn't a new feeling for us. 

The actions that I will practice in alignment with this vision - is to never lose faith when it comes to the students. If we give up, they will slide back into their comfort zone of "oh i knew this will happen anyway". I will hold regular check-ins to understand each student one-on-one, to help them identify their individual goals, and grow as much as possible. I will also hold the students accountable for their learning, and instill a sense of responsibility and ownership through my lessons. 

What have I learnt about myself? 

Through this journey, I have learnt that taking care of myself comes in different forms. One way to do it is to be well prepared for the week. This could be by making lesson plans in advance, and pre-empting breakdowns when it comes to teaching. The second way is to engage in some activity for myself during the day. This could be illustration, reading, or a quick workout, that makes me feel connected to myself. Another thing I've realised is that my journalling practice helps me process the day, and what happened at school, and that half an hour every day when I journal, is something I cannot give up. 

An illustration I made of our 10th-grade classroom