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Copyright © 2019 by Corwin. All rights reserved. Reprinted from Start With the Heart: Igniting Hope in Schools Through Social and Emotional Learning by Michelle L. Trujillo. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, www.corwin.com. Reproduction authorized for educational use by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book.
I asked you to reflect on people in your personal life who matter to you because you must always keep them at the forefront of your mind and in your heart. Early in my teaching career, someone taught me the “five years from now” rule. For example, when in a dilemma between taking a sick day to stay home with my children or coming to work to teach a specific lesson, I would ask myself, “Five years from now, who will remember?” The answer, inevitably, was my children. My students wouldn’t remember on which day I taught which lesson, but my son and daughter would definitely remember if I stayed home to cuddle them when they were little and not feeling well. We are better as educators and professionals when we keep what’s first, first.
At the same time, we do spend a great deal of our time at school. There are people in our professional lives, too, who are important to us. This is interesting, because much like our families, we don’t necessarily get to choose the people with whom we work. As a result, we tend to be drawn to those with whom we have things in common, be it interests, philosophies, or personality traits. Can you create the same type of list for those in your professional life that you created for those in your personal life?
The People in Your Professional Life
Name: Reason:
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Copyright © 2019 by Corwin. All rights reserved. Reprinted from Start With the Heart: Igniting Hope in Schools Through Social and Emotional Learning by Michelle L. Trujillo. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, www.corwin.com. Reproduction authorized for educational use by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book.
Furthermore, consider this: Whose list might you be on? If your students or colleagues were asked to create the same kind of list, would they include you? Please stop reading for a moment and contemplate these questions. Jot down anything significant that occurs to you:
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These exercises are important to reflect upon, because how we interact with those in our professional life and how they react to and interact with us is critical to this journey. Perhaps what is more telling in these reflection exercises is recognition of who is not on your list. There may be people within our work environments whom we do not identify as important to us, yet we are called to work professionally together and to treat each other with respect and dignity. Being compassionate and growth-minded toward all people within our workplace is necessary. Because we don’t always get to choose our colleagues or our students, it is imperative that we accept the significance of understanding that all of us, our colleagues as well as the students, family members, and other associates of our school community, come from different experiences, cultures, opportunities, and abilities.
Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger
It is crucial to understand that in many ways we are different, and that being different doesn’t make us more than or less than. It just makes us different. Our differences, if honored, provide valuable insight that helps people to be more aware, well-rounded, and enlightened. Although we as human beings are uniquely different, we are alike in essential ways. Because of these similarities, our diversity makes us stronger.
Imagine the insight and enlightenment that could be found if all of humanity chose to appreciate our diversity. Instead, as a society, we tend to experience division. As much as we do not have control over all human beings, we can control our own perspectives, words, and actions. It is essential that we, as educators, understand that it is our choice to approach our professional life in this light, accepting each other and seeking to understand people from a place of love, regardless of skin color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender preference, socioeconomic status, or ability. Moreover, until we do this, we will fall short in making meaningful connections. So, how do we initiate this outlook within our work environment?
Meeting People Where They Are
We have to start by meeting people where they are. Bryan Rhoades provided my first lesson in this regard. In middle school he was diagnosed with Friedreich ataxia, a type of muscular dystrophy that causes progressive damage to the nervous system. It manifested itself in Bryan’s body by causing constant jerking movements of his arms and legs. I was in my first year as an adapted physical education teacher when I met Bryan. I was inspired by this student who was bound and determined to do things as he did them before this debilitating disease began to take control of his body. I have many memories of Bryan, who imprinted himself upon my heart from the moment I met him. With unbridled enthusiasm, he told me he was an amazing football player and someday he was going to play for his beloved Denver Broncos.
Though I was his teacher for only three years, he and I remained in each other’s lives.
