Rest and Reflection: The Fuel of Dreams

It’s May.  In the world of public educators that means end of the year assessments, squeezing in all the content, graduations, awards ceremonies, end of the year evaluations, and hard goodbyes.  But it’s also a sign of summer.  A sign of rest.  A sign of a slowing pace to clear our heads and reflect. It’s been 2 full years since educators have really had the opportunity to do just that: rest and reflect.  

Two summers ago we spent all summer anxiously awaiting the ever changing guidance and policy requirements related to COVID-19 health mitigation protocols from our state’s education agency.  The next summer we tried to interpret the legislation around “closing the COVID gaps.”  These summers were not filled with opportunities to reflect, nor rest.  They were spent reacting.  Waiting and reacting to policies created by “those who know what’s best for kids and teachers.” In our efforts to react responsibly and swiftly to forced timelines, we over communicated with teachers who were trying to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.  Therefore, no one rested.  Reflection was interrupted.  Rejuvenation was robbed by fear.  Fear of what now, what next.  

I am fortunate to work in a district that tried really hard to prioritize teaching and learning this school year.  It has felt productive and hopeful.  It has felt joyful and full of growth.  For the first time in two years, it has not felt reactive or full of fear.  

So the promise of rest and reflection feels possible.  This makes my heart smile and brings me peace because we can finally give the teachers and students what they deserve.  They deserve vision and direction that is inspired by innovation and voice.  Reflection that comes from those we serve as opposed to those we report to.  Reflection that is about care and not compliance.  Reflection that comes from genuine soul searching about the possibilities that lie ahead.  

I have the privilege of leading our District Advisory Committee.  An incredibly wise community member raised a question around our five year strategic plan.  We are in year four of this plan.  He asked if we had considered adjusting the pace and original outcomes of the plan in light of all educators have been through in the past few years.  He shared how thankful he was for the continued persistence of the district but worried for the weariness of those bringing the plan to life.  I was so inspired by his question which prompted me to truly want to pause to clarify our purpose. A purpose that was established in a different time in education. How often do we pause and recalibrate our original purpose? 

I often write about not wasting this crisis in education, this opportunity to not race back to “normal.” Not racing back to normal also includes ensuring our reflections are still guiding us towards the innovations that inspired us years ago.  

May we use this summer to truly rest and reflect.  It is the fuel of our dreams.  The fuel of a vision that comes from voices of those we most value.  I cannot wait to dream again.