I began my career as an @HCPSS educator 15 years ago. I’ll never forget our principal asking, “what is your most important job as an educator?” At that first staff meeting. In my mind, it was educating kids to be critical thinkers (among many other things).
I was surprised (along with my colleagues) when he said, “your most important role as an educator, is to keep these kids safe.” Now more than ever, those words ring true. I don’t think that there’s an educator out there that isn’t concerned about the welfare of their students.
So, while school is on “hold” for now... there’s plenty of time to reach out and make make meaningful connections with kids. The teachers that I love and remember the most, weren’t the ones that were the smartest or the strictest.
They were the ones that took the time to get to know me, who reached out, and who cared. And as a both parents and educators- isn’t that pretty much everything? Keeping kids safe, and spending some time to make connections- personal and educational- showing that you care.
