You Matter!

How mindful are we of how well we listen to our students, to our colleagues, to ourselves?

I am just leaving the Northeast League of Middle Schools (NELMS) conference and once again this semester I have had the opportunity to interact with teachers, administrators, and superintendents; and engage in conversations, and I have been inspired by the following recurring themes:
1) Teachers and administrators who share their passion and ideas inspire others.
2) Keynote address speakers remind us of our values and commitment to serving this age group and the importance of never giving up on kids or one another.
3) Vendors give teachers and schools ideas and support by sharing their expertise.
4) Teachers and administrators who celebrate the successes of one another and who join with an intention of advocacy and renewal are inspired, energized, and infused with passion they carry back to their schools.
5) We are reminded, in these settings, that kids matter, that we are committed to meeting the needs of all students, and that we as individuals and as teams and as schools are the most important people in the world.
6) We need to share our stories, fill one another's cups, sing our songs, and advocate for children and one another.

My hope is that somebody reminds each of you that you matter! Perhaps there is someone in your building who needs to hear that they matter. Tell them.
Perhaps you need to take better care of yourself. Take a breath. Look in the mirror and say, 'I matter!' (Say it more than once. Sing it. Dance in your car or in your living room and say it.) 'I matter!'

You do matter. What you do everyday matters. Your 'kiddos,' as my friend calls her students, need you. Your colleagues need you too. Let them know they matter!

Thank you for your commitment. On your journey, know that I am sending you lots of good energy.

Have a good week.