Plant Yourself For Success
A friend and mentor of mine once told me of a time when she was preparing to do some planting in her flower garden. She had heard of a place nearby that sold remarkable plants and flowers. Upon arriving one of the workers saw her and asked, “Can I help you ma’am?” The customer responded by telling the worker that she was interested in a particular kind of plant to place in her garden. She had heard from others that this particular location turned out some of the best of that particular type and that she had had trouble growing them before. The worker responded by asking her, “Well, what are you putting in the hole?” Caught off guard, she responded, “The plant.” The worker responded, “You can put a $2 plant in a $100 hole and get a $100 plant, but if you put a $100 plant in a $2 hole, you’ll eventually end up with a $2 plant.”
While some of the details of this story may be a little off (since I’m not much of a gardener), the story makes a good point. I can’t count the number of times in my now 19 years in education I’ve seen a remarkable and enthusiastic teacher walk into a classroom only to be burned out and leaving the profession altogether in just a few short years because they were not in an environment that encouraged, or in some cases even allowed, them to grow. They were in the wrong hole. However, I have also seen some struggling teachers with limited understanding of pedagogy that had mentors come alongside them, nurture them, and help them grow - right hole.
As educators, it is important to take care of your students and make sure they are growing, but equally important is making sure you are growing. I’ve heard it said, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” It is human nature to want to grow, learn, and develop in our work. If you ever get to the point where you see you’re not growing then take notice of your environment. Are you in the right hole? It may be that you are in an environment that just will not let you grow in the way you can. Every time you start to bloom you get chopped down because “This isn’t that kind of garden.” Or maybe you’re in a good environment, but you’re just afraid to bloom. That was me for several years in fear that blooming would get noticed and draw attention my way. Or, lastly, maybe the environment is right, but you need to stretch. My mother had a hanging plant in our home when I was a child. No matter where she hung it in the house it always grew in the direction of the windows seeking out the sun. As teachers, it is also our responsibility to reach out and find ways to help ourselves grow sometimes.
Next Steps:
As educators, it is important to take care of your students and make sure they are growing, but equally important is making sure you are growing. I’ve heard it said, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” It is human nature to want to grow, learn, and develop in our work. If you ever get to the point where you see you’re not growing then take notice of your environment. Are you in the right hole? It may be that you are in an environment that just will not let you grow in the way you can. Every time you start to bloom you get chopped down because “This isn’t that kind of garden.” Or maybe you’re in a good environment, but you’re just afraid to bloom. That was me for several years in fear that blooming would get noticed and draw attention my way. Or, lastly, maybe the environment is right, but you need to stretch. My mother had a hanging plant in our home when I was a child. No matter where she hung it in the house it always grew in the direction of the windows seeking out the sun. As teachers, it is also our responsibility to reach out and find ways to help ourselves grow sometimes.
Next Steps:
- Do you need to find a new hole? Is your current location preventing you from growing? If so, seek out ways to find a new position or speak with your administrators about changes that can be made to help you and others grow.
- Are you afraid to bloom? Are you afraid that you will be noticed? Don’t be. Step out of your comfort zone and lead the way for others to do the same. Be the teacher your students need.
- Could you bloom if you just made a stretch toward the sun? Find a mentor; read books by great educators; seek out professional development organizations.
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