Help Me See Me

My teacher just met me where I was at and advocated for me when I didn't think I was good enough. - Michael

This is a hard job. Not only do we have to figure out what level students are at and get them to the appropriate level, but we also have to convince them that they are capable of getting to that level and beyond. There are not many jobs where all 3 things have to be done by the same person, and the ones that come to mind all deal with addictions.  

Some might say that self-doubt is an addiction. The longer it is ignored, the deeper it gets.  Even more puzzling is who taught them to doubt? Kids seem to start out loud and proud, and at some point it reverses.  

Regardless of its origin, we are the ones that have to help them see the value of who they are, where they are and where they are going.  

We get to do it.  

It is such an opportunity to see what makes them tick, what makes them unique and to help them see that light within.  

They say that “to educate” in Latin is “to draw out.” I have always liked that translation because it means that there is something beautiful and amazing inside each of our students, and we get to help them pull it out. That amazing thing is really just their true selves.  

Their fully baked, confident, competent, compassionate self is dying to get out. Let’s help a few kids get closer to that today.