Bigger & Better

As I gear up to start a new job, and a new school year my mom came to help me.  Mid-August is not only my busiest time of year, but also my husband's.  I am so thankful that my mom is often able to come and help out.  As I was discussing my new job with my mom last week I explained how I've finally accepted my calling.

 "Last year I was looking for something bigger, better.  I wanted to leave education or move up in some way.  But, as I interviewed and then accepted my new job I realized that I am a teacher.  This is what God has called me to do."

My mom looked at me and said, "What could be bigger or better than being a teacher?  I am so proud of you."

This simple comment changed my entire perspective.  I had previously considered becoming a special education director.  My husband and I struggled through this decision as he told me he did not think that I would enjoy that.  I was frustrated in the classroom and thought that the answer was to leave.  At the end of a very difficult school year last year I received many affirmations that I was a good teacher.  I had many comments from students and parents.  All of the frustrations and challenges were worth it when I learned that I made a difference for students.

This new perspective provided by my mom has helped me to realize that there is nothing bigger or better than what I am called to do.  I use my talents, affect lives, and let my light shine.  We all need to accept our calling with grace and gratitude.  Society tells us that being an executive is better than being a stay-at-home mom or dad.  It tell us that being a doctor is better than being a nurse.  It tells us that being a principal, or superintendent is better than being a teacher.  Society lies.

You must let your light shine in whatever you are called to do.  This is the only way that you will find joy in your career. It is the only way that our society can flourish.  When people want to have jobs that they think are valuable, or where they can make the most money they will be miserable.  These people will develop anxiety, depression, and may commit suicide.  The pressure to have an "important" job destroys people.  We wonder why workers in the United States are so stressed, the answer is that they are not letting their light shine.  They are punching in, they are running on the gerbil wheel, but they are not doing what they are passionate about.

Find your passion, then find a way to make money doing it.  This may not sound possible, but it's not as difficult as it seems.  When I talk to students about future careers I do not ask them what they want to be, I ask them what they want to do.  I know that my children's careers may not even exist yet.  I have had multiple jobs that I did not know existed when I went to college.

The other very important part of finding your passion is to experiment.  Job shadows are crucial for young people, even beginning in middle school.  Starting job shadows in the senior year is too late.  Job shadowing is a special education initiative, but it should be part of everyone's education.

Job shadows are not only important in school, but also for adults.  If you are considering a job change take a day to shadow someone in the job that you are considering.  When I looked at my director's job closer I realized that he spent most of his time in meetings and doing paper work.  My desire to be a special education director was to support teachers and help them be the best that they could be.  I realized that I could do that better by simply supporting my fellow teachers.

Accept what you are called to do, embrace it, and excel at it.  Then, you can truly LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!