Recently, I have been
writing (and re-writing) a “Personal Statement” as part of my application to
the Educational Leadership program at Michigan State. The directive was to talk about how my life
experiences brought me to this point of applying to the program. As
part of that, I did a lot of reflecting on what motivated a successful
commercial litigation attorney (me, in case you were wondering) to switch
careers, and then I concentrated on the joy and meaning I have found in being a
teacher.
What I ended up crafting
looks a lot like a personal mission/vision statement, and even if I decide not
to pursue this specific academic avenue next year, I am glad I took the time to
write it. In the here and now, I feel
more grounded in my work. It helps me
realize my non-negotiables (also known as my “North Star” per Kenneth Williams, or my “Space Jam” per Kid President).
What would your personal
mission/vision statement look like? I’m
not asking you to write one, I’m just wondering what grounds you in your
work. What are your
non-negotiables? What brings you to your
school or classroom each day? What gives
you life, feeds your soul, or warms your heart?
How do you celebrate success, for yourself and/or your students?
Take 10-15 minutes of
quiet time over the next few days to contemplate these questions, and then use
the comment section below to record your reflections if you feel so inclined.
There are no right or wrong responses, but someone else may be inspired by your
thoughts. Welcome to the Space Jam.
J. Walton
