It's okay to celebrate YOU!

As hard as it is to believe that it's a brand new year, the celebration continues in the journey we are on in our lives as educators. I wrote an article for our ESU 10 newsletter, asking teachers to write down three things they love about being a teacher, and to celebrate those things day after day, until celebrating their love of teaching again. I received the following email in response to the article this evening:

Hi Julie!
I wrote down my three things and it is right where I can see it again tomorrow!
Your article was positive and uplifting. Man we need that once in a while!!
I will try to celebrate myself more often.
Thanks,
Angie O.

I was thrilled to know that Angie was celebrating herself as an educator today, as it is indeed something worth celebrating! It is not often that we take a moment to breathe in deeply, close our eyes, envision the children we are gifted with, and smile about the impact they have on our lives.

On some days, it is easy to get discouraged. Our plates are full, with more and more expectations being placed on us each and every year, and yet we forge on, knowing that we have THE MOST important job in the universe--educating young minds! I'm sure there are those out there would believe their job is the most important, but let's be real here...most individuals could not have a job without some sort of an education. And who is it that provides the learning environment in which to be educated? Us, of course! How truly fortunate we are to be on our current journey.

Today we may not know exactly what tomorrow will bring, in terms of the conditions along our journey's path, but rest assured that it will be filled with fun, laughter, thinking, and learning. What a celebration of the role we have been called to fill in this world.

Happy New Year, and never forget that your job can never be taken lightly.