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Educator Encouragement Alert:

My husband and I recently had a discussion about the current educational climate in our state. With cuts to the educational budget totaling $99 million for the next fiscal year, we both felt this pull to just duck our heads, so to speak, and try to just "get through" yet another season of difficulty. However, this response makes me sad. I thought, "Here we have two very dedicated teachers...feeling so dismal."

I refused and I refuse to let myself enter into that pattern of thinking, otherwise I could slip into that chasm of negativity-an abyss-that sometimes happens when we lose site of our utmost priority-Our "First, Do No Harm" type of code that we must choose to live by. (Yes, I do think ongoing, negative talk and thinking is harmful-not that I haven't ever entered into it-I just try to be self aware, so that I am ultimately the type of educator I would want to have for myself or my children.)

When I hear things in the news about budget cuts, etc. I have to remind myself to go back to my classroom and look around (in my mind)...and remember all the faces of the young, hopeful and hope-filled (even though they may not look hopeful-I know it's in there) people, of whom I will re-engage with in the Fall...to count up the good.

This causes me to take joy in the facts and the facets, or the many roles, of my profession. (If you've ever considered being a teacher, know this is what you will most likely do. On. A. Regular. Basis. But, take heart...it is one of the most rewarding endeavors imaginable-if it suits you. You will not do it perfectly. You will flat out fail at times. But, you will impact lives and this is why we do what we do.)

Diagnostician, Interventionist, Public Speaker, Writer, Public Relations Assistant, Storyteller, Assessment Adviser, Magician, Grant Writer, Technology Coordinator, Curriculum Evaluator, Wish-er, Mental Health Supporter, Instructional Engineer, Advocate, "Air Traffic" Controller, Failure & Growth Analyst, Campaign Assistant, Hope-er, Publicist, Editor, Counselor, Fund Raiser, Singer, Health Awareness Coordinator, Accountant, Community Resources Information Supplier, Cruise Director, Secretary, Reader, Excursion Coordinator, Cheerleader, Pray-er, Information Analyst & Organizer, Interior Designer, Personal Trainer, Capacity Builder, Escape Room Manager, Food Server, Dancer, Committed Listener, Self Care Awareness Supervisor, Change-Agent, Trauma Sensitive Atmosphere Organizer, Artist, Curriculum Writer, Web-Designer, Collaborator, Productive Struggler, Thinking Partner, Employee Supervisor, Workshop Facilitator, Safety Supervisor, Data Entry, Authentic Practitioner, Guest Relations, Actor, Coach, and Magic Bean Buyer.

As an educator we get to practice a collaboration if you will, of professions...(Some are literally what we do as educators & some are word portraits meant to engage you in thinking about the diverse roles that an educator must take on...no disrespect to those who are actually in that line of work.)

I celebrate what it is I do. I absolutely "dig" it, and I hope that this post informs others, as well as inspires those in education to remain hopeful...to be thoughtful, engaged and attentive to the true nature of what it is we got into education for-at least this is where I have to focus my attention. It is my "oxygen mask" if you will.

I didn't choose all of these roles. They are just part of the tapestry. Not all of them are my favorite, but they are necessary "threads" and they help me to focus on the intricacy and the joy of my role as an educator because every child, every day, needs someone to step up to the plate and be their champion.-Shelly Blank