Tell your story! What is the most important part of teaching?

This week I have been at the Georgia, South Carolina, and will be at the North Carolina Middle School conferences. We are learning about brain growth and how to help students with self-efficacy. I  have heard preservice teachers share their experiences with Genius Hour. have been in meetings with pre-service, inservice, principals, and professors. Over and over again I hear, 'We, as teachers, have the most important job in the world.' 'Relationships matter!' 'Your job is to inspire, engage and empower young people.' 'Our children need adults who care about them.' 'When you are with kids, be with your kids.'

In other meetings we are realizing, as middle school teachers, we need to tell our story. We need to promote middle level education and middle level teachers and middle level students. How can we do that and to whom can we share?

One way to do this is to reflect on your story. What is your story? Share your passion, share your support of working with Middle Level students. What makes teaching important to you? Share your joy!