I remember my first-day teaching so clearly, standing in front of my class of 5th-grade students with my heart pounding and 26 pairs of eyes looking at me to tell them how our school year together would go. We found our way together that year, my students and I. That year changed me and taught me, as did all of my years in the classroom. Today I would like to share with you five lessons that I learned as a classroom teacher. I hope that by sharing these lessons that you can relate to the stories and lessons I share and feel confident stepping into their own purpose, whatever that looks like to you.
Lesson 1: Be Yourself
Sometimes as “grown-ups,” we don’t give kids enough credit for their capacity for understanding. When I first started teaching, I felt like I had to “perform” as the Disney Jr. version of myself in front of my students. The reality is that children have a great capacity for understanding other people as human beings. They taught me that I could be authentically myself through all of the day-to-day experiences we shared.
Lesson 2: Don’t Make Assumptions
Children are resilient. They are strong and tough. They are also tender, young people going through big challenges. I learned never to make assumptions about a “misbehaving” student, but rather to try to connect with them. Connection builds understanding, which opens the doors for more conversation and positive interactions. The same is true in our grown-up lives; we’re all going through difficult things. My boss likes to say, “I can see you because I’ve gotten to know you,” and that was true with every student I built a connection with.
Lesson 3: Laugh
When people ask me what I miss most about the classroom (other than just being obsessed with school supplies), I always remark about how genuinely hilarious young people are. My students made me laugh every day (there were also times where I wanted to laugh and couldn’t, but that’s it’s own post). If you are prone to taking yourself too seriously, a gaggle of children can surely cure you of that. I learned that it was fun to wear the silly hat, show up in goofy socks, and let loose after a spelling test with a dance party. I seriously love not taking myself too seriously.
Lesson 4: Go with the Flow/Be Flexible
If you have small children, work with small children, or have ever been around small children for more than five minutes, then you know what I’m about to say: flexibility is key.
Do you have a plan?
Great, it is going to change.
Do you have a timeline or a schedule?
Great, that’s also going to change.
Flexibility is a great skill to have in general but is especially useful as a project manager.
Change is constant.
A student is going to throw up.
There is going to be a fire drill.
Project Sponsors will move targets.
Plans and timelines change. It’s all the same. Together we can figure out the next steps and move forward.
Lesson 5: Growth is a Journey, Not a Destination
Do you remember when you learned your multiplication tables? Maybe your teacher had a sticker chart or reward system for “passing off” your multiplication facts for different number groups. I loved cheering on my students as they learned new skills. However, I tried to celebrate the learning journey, not just the “arrival” of knowledge. That is something I try to take with me into my work. I always want to be learning! I always want to be getting better at my craft and learning skills that will help me both now and in the future of my career.
Learning is a journey! Growth is a journey!
If you’re still here with me today, thank you for walking through a few of the lessons I learned in the classroom. In whatever career or life path you find yourself, we can be authentically ourselves if we honor our purpose. I am an educator in my bones; I love learning, sharing knowledge, and encouraging growth. These are the areas of my heart that first drew me to the classroom, and the ways in which my teaching journey shaped me stay with me in my work today.