After a lot of thought and reflection, my #oneword2016 is....
I want to be intentional.
- Be an intentional teacher - Remember, I work with 6-year-olds. They are someone's baby. I have the priviledge, not the right, to work with them each day. I need to be intentional by calling each of them by name and making a connection with each of them each day. I need to remember that they only have one shot at first grade and I only have one shot with them. I need to be intentional about ensuring it is the best possible experience they could have with me.
- Be an intentional mom, sister, daughter, granddaughter - Like with my students, the days pass too quickly with my family. I need to be intentional about my time spent with them. Many of you know I have a third grade son, Carson. I need to be intentional about the quality of our time together. Just like my students, I only have one shot at this. I need to make sure my time with him isn't only nagging about cleaning up or doing homework. I will work to be intentional about balancing the mundane tasks of running a household and enjoying the very precious time that seems to be flying. Many of you also know that I am very close to my grandparents. I will be intentional about ensuring the time I spend with them is learning as much as I possibly can from these incredible individuals. Whether it be a dry joke from Dutch or the art of quilting from Judy, I will be intentional about being present when I am with them.
- Be an intentional listener - I need to work on this in all areas of my life. I need to do less talking and more listening as a mom, sister, daughter, granddaughter, teacher, friend, colleague, community member, etc. When I say I need to be a better listener, I mean I need to do more than just being quiet and letting the other person talk. (And to those of you that know me well know this WILL be a challenge!) I will be intentional about really hearing others and give my best effort to understand what they are saying.
- Be an intentional learner - Since finishing my graduate program, the amount of professional reading I've done has dropped. I will be an intentional learner in 2016 by reading more and seeking more opportunities to learn from my peers and friends at the Grant Wood AEA and on Twitter. I am surrounded by experts and need to seek their advice more regularly. This is how I will do more and be better for my students. Often times, I am able to make connections through learning for my professional world to my personal world as well. I will be intentional about making sure I am looking for and taking these opportunities. My students and my son deserve a teacher and mom who is willing to learn.
- Be intentional about caring for myself - Balance has always been a challenge for me. In so many ways, I need to be intentional about taking better care of myself. That's it. No long, drawn out thoughts on this one. Mind, body, and soul - I need to be intentional about caring for myself.
- Be intentional about being present - I think back to the days that I was in college and couldn't afford the internet at home when I think about being more present. No, I don't plan on cancelling my internet subscription because the internet helps me in too many ways. However, I need to be intentional about not letting it get in the way of things that are more important; like time with Carson. As of now, the internet seems to be my biggest distraction. Being intentional about being present will help in so many areas of my life, but I know this could be the most challenging for me.
Here's to being intentional about being a better, kinder, more present individual in 2016!
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