“Change is what happens. Transition is what we do about it.”
That phrase was recently share with my husband. His company has just purchased another small firm, and they are all going through the process of readjusting to the new reality. The phrase apparently came from the book Managing Transitions by William and Susan Bridges.
I found the phrase extremely relevant to my life as a teacher. I am not sure there is a field anywhere that is more prone to, and actually built on, the idea of changes. Changes that are, for the most part, outside of our control. What we teach, who we teach, and often, how we teach, become mandated by state and federal law. These things can change like the wind, depending on who is in these political positions. Change is the one constant in teaching.
So naturally, I bought the book.
While it has been a fascinating read, I must admit that the book is geared toward corporate and industry changes and how to facilitate and nurture a corporate culture that can move beyond the jolt of change and actually transform.
I did find a couple of nuggets of wisdom though, that really resonated with me.
“Stability through change demands clarity about who you are and what you are trying to do. In other words, clarity of your purpose.”
Clarity about who we are.
Clarity about our purpose.
Such simple but powerful phrases. And so very applicable to educators and teachers.
No one can deny that education in general in our country, is in a state of crisis. I could write pages on all of the factors contributing to this, but the fact remains that this is resulting in a teacher shortage. Fewer people are pursuing teaching as a career, and of that small group, fewer are sticking with it.
But what I have noticed, is that those who do stick with it, have mastered those two things.
They know who they are and they know what their purpose is.
That is not to say that they are not stressed, and that they do not deal with daily frustration at policy that is often unrealistic and removed from the realities of the classroom. That is not to say that they do not deal with the fact that while mandates increase, support and resources seem to evaporate. They are working under crushing expectations and are often vilified by noisy extremists.
So why do they stay?
Because they know who they are.
They know that they are educators. They know that education is the great equalizer and that it can change lives.
Because they know their purpose.
They know that what they do every day makes a difference. They know that they have the power to nurture and support the growth of the students in their classrooms.
Perhaps those simple goals are all that is needed for a peaceful and satisfying life as well.
Know who you are.
Know your purpose.
Wishing that wisdom and insight for everyone!
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