I don't know if it is because I am over 50 years old or because the world is spinning more intensely, but I cannot believe that it is December already! Our stores are full of holiday decorations, and shoppers are scurrying to find just the right gifts. This can be a time of frenzy. We need to shift our focus, however, from the consumer-oriented "noise" of this season to what matters.
For our families and communities, that means recommitting to educating the whole child, despite dramatic resource cuts at the state and federal levels. As leaders, it means rising above legislation that uses shame as a motivation to improve schools and enact other so-called "reforms" that measure effectiveness based on variables beyond our control.
This is a time to reconnect to our purpose and put aside shiny, yet superficial, distractions. I am motivated by what we've already done in what seems like such a short time: readying our schools, hiring new teachers, and fine-tuning our skills with professional development for the new school year.
We rallied together to greet each child with our whole hearts as they crossed the thresholds of our schools. We reconnected with families, colleagues, and students at back-to-school nights, open houses, and parent conferences. We even made it look easy!
Now, as we head into what is a winter break for many in our profession, it is time to take stock of where we are and where we are going. During this season, I often reflect on whether I lived and acted upon my beliefs:
- Did I meet every child, parent, and staff member with an open mind and an open heart?
- Did I notice the needs of the whole child? Did I address them and advocate for others to join me?
- Did I confront elitism, racism, sexism, and other biases when they showed themselves, and did I stand for their eradication?
- Did I act as a global citizen by learning from best practices around the world, and did I work to ensure my students have the 21st century skills necessary to thrive?
- Was I a broker of hope?
As we enjoy family and friends and steal a little time to relax, I hope we can remember what motivates us, acknowledge what we've accomplished thus far, and recommit to our goals.
We should also remember that we are one another's best resources, and there are plenty of ways to stay connected to our ASCD family.
- Follow ASCD on Twitter (<LINK URL="https://twitter.com/ASCD">@ASCD</LINK> and <LINK URL="https://twitter.com/WholeChildAdv">@WholeChildAdv</LINK>), Facebook (<LINK URL="http://facebook.com/ASCD.org">facebook.com/ASCD.org</LINK> and <LINK URL="http://facebook.com/Wholechild">facebook.com/Wholechild</LINK>), and <LINK URL="http://pinterest.com/officialascd">Pinterest</LINK>.
- Create a profile on <LINK URL="http://edge.ascd.org/">ASCD EDge</LINK>® and interact with 60,000 educators.
- Hear from fellow educators on the <LINK URL="http://www.ascd.org/blog">Inservice</LINK> and <LINK URL="http://www.wholechildeducation.org/blog">Whole Child</LINK> blogs.
- Connect in person this March at ASCD's Annual Conference in Los Angeles, Calif.
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Your Vote Matters
ASCD members: Please visit www.ascd.org/vote by December 15, 2013, to vote on a set of proposed changes to ASCD's Constitution.