I was just in a Twitter chat (#sunchat) and that topic of what your “one word” for this year will be. I had to think for a few, but it quickly came to me…Passion!
What is “passion”? Passion, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.” This definition describes my feeling about education perfectly. How can you enter into a classroom and not feel passion? How can you truly give yourself to your students if you don’t have passion? How can I show passion in my classroom?
Each day when I walk into my classroom, I feel an excitement that today I have the opportunity to connect to my students in a new way. This connection comes from me giving my students the desire to want to continue to learn. I have to show my passion for the content I am teaching. If I come in and state that this topic is not exciting, why would students care to learn about it? I am here to build the interests of students, I have to show passion!
I also have to show passion for my students! I teach 5th and 6th grade. These students are at a prime age of starting to build their interests and what defines them as a person. I need to be passionate about their discoveries. I need to show them that they are doing great things and that they need to show passion for their new area of learning!
I need to show passion for my colleagues. I need to make them feel like they are making a difference with their work and that I support their passion for their subjects. I also need to be passionate about their personal journeys. I need to feel a connection with them as a person and not just as another teacher.
Also, the word Passion has another meaning. In the Catholic faith, Passion is the suffering and death of Jesus. We need to be reminded that this Passion is a part of our life. We need to accept the pain that may come from showing passion. People may not always accept us or our commitment to an idea. It will cause some suffering. We will be hurt along the way, but as long as you remain steadfast to your idea that if this is best for the students, you will feel the great reward of your passion.
Passion is developed. You may not know where your next boost of passion will come from, but you have to respond to it with everything you have. Passion is strong. Passion is exciting. Passion lies within you! You need to take that passion and exhibit it and pass it on to everyone you meet. Be ready for a strong connection to everything you do and for everyone you are working with! Let passion lead you!
Cottos Corner for Education 