Flexibility and Grace During A New Season as Educators
No matter how much experience you have as an educator, it is guaranteed that you have never faced the challenges upon us now. The unique circumstances we are in present a great opportunity to reflect on the advice we have received and the words of wisdom we have shared with others. Now, more than ever, flexibility and grace will serve us well as we face this new season of education.
Embrace flexibility
By this point, we have all had events, plans, and even vacations canceled. What seems to be a “sure thing” one minute is quickly changed the next. For educators, living in this tumultuous time is stressful to say the least! Constant change is the new normal, regardless of your job title. Realizing many things are outside of our control and choosing to let go of things we cannot change will help us embrace flexibility in our lives. Granted, this is easier said than done but doing our best to remain flexible with events and expectations will help bring us peace.
Extend grace to others
This is a time for the education community to stick together. It is easy to become isolated and feel as though no one else understands the daily challenges you are facing. Finding a mentor, friend, or ally to share information and ideas with can make a big difference. Sometimes this can even help you find the humor in situations - we all need to laugh every now and then! Maintaining patience and extending grace to others is not always easy, but it is important to remember that we are all in the same boat, ultimately striving for shared goals. I encourage you to take time to really listen to others and find common ground to build stronger relationships. Remember, education is a relationship-based enterprise!
Focus on areas with the greatest impact
Each day brings new challenges, often in rapid succession. It is easy to get overwhelmed, not only by the sheer volume of tasks requiring completion, but also because completing them in a timely manner isn’t always easy. You can reduce your stress level and push back on the "overwhelmed" feeling so many are experiencing by prioritizing tasks and demands on your time in a way that keeps the focus on your most important goals. Ask yourself these questions: What, or who, needs the most attention right now? Where can I have the greatest influence or make the biggest impact? Starting with these questions helps with prioritizing time and tackling the most important tasks first.
No matter how long you have been in education, you can likely remember hearing these words of wisdom from mentors, helping to shape your mentality and your future. Whether you are a seasoned educator or new to the profession, reflecting on that advice and embracing these best practices can help us all make it through challenging situations. As the days get easier ahead, let us all continue to practice flexibility, extend grace and keep our focus on who we serve – students!
