A set of circumstances that that makes it possible to do something…an opportunity.
An opportunity is what we all need to make ourselves better. An opportunity is what we all need to push ourselves forward. An opportunity is what we all need to give each other to make each other better.
Opportunity is the word that I have chosen for my #OneWord2019. Why? Why did I choose this word? Well, first of all, I have been given an opportunity to become an educator. I have taken this opportunity to, hopefully, guide the lives of my students to become loving, caring, faith-filled citizens of our world. Each day that I come to work, I feel joy in knowing that I have the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of my students. I have the opportunity to discover more about my students and make connections with them, whether it be about sports, the subject we are discussing, dancing (which I am not too good at!), cats (that I’m allergic to!), theatre, or any other random topic that comes about…it’s the opportunity to learn more about students as people, rather than just a number in the classroom. If the opportunity to learn more about students is not acted upon, students don’t feel welcome; they don’t feel like the classroom is theirs…students won’t be excited to learn. I need to take the opportunity that lies ahead of me when it comes to knowing my students to ensure that they truly want to be there to learn!
In another sense, I need to provide my students an opportunity. I need to give them the opportunity to learn more…to desire more…to be more than they are currently. It is my responsibility to make every learning opportunity available to my students. Students need to be given these opportunities, for it is their learning. Everyday is an opportunity for them to grow in their learning, socializing, spirituality, and emotional growth. I need to be there to support them and their needs. It is an opportunity for the school community to develop and understand each other.
I also need to see opportunities to better myself academically. The academic world is ever changing. There are so many new, innovative teaching resources available that can aid my students that I need to understand. There is so much I need to learn as a teacher. There is so much I need to learn as an academic leader. This year is an opportunity for me to develop into a greater guide for my students, my colleagues, and my school community.
We need to see the opportunities that we have in our lives. Sometimes what we see as an opportunity is not the opportunity that is right for us. Maybe situations that we encounter that we don’t take but are later presented to us will be the right opportunity for us. We just need to take each opportunity seriously and with the best that we have to offer. We cannot let opportunities to pass us by…pass me by!
Each day is an opportunity. An opportunity for me…for my students…for my colleagues. Grow with them. Challenge yourself. Embrace the opportunity. Be the opportunity for others!
Cottos Corner for Education 