Personal Promises for the School Year

I’m pledging to a year of selfishness. Teacher friends, will you?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve clung to selflessness. Maybe that’s why I chose a career in education. A single day in the profession means putting yourself last to serve your students, families, and a greater community of learners.

But this year, I’m committing to be selfish. I’ve spent too many caffeine-driven days trying to pour from an empty cup. I’ve listened to umpteen podcasts on my commute, only arrive to campus filled with self-doubt and in desperate need of edification. During 2018–19, I promise to lean into moments of vulnerability and push aside the need for perfection.

Because I know the impact of my work, it’s time to show myself (mind, body, and soul) some love. So, I pledge allegiance to myself and aim to:

• Leave work at work (as much as possible)


• Invest in things that get me through the day (good-soled shoes, a large water bottle, peppy class decor, and healthy snacks for my desk)


• Buy the planner that’s truly going to make me most productive


• Spend time in meaningful professional learning opportunities


• Schedule (and make it to) important, personal appointments


• Get more sleep (late-night streaming binges, goodbye!)


• Bring mindfulness to the first and last parts of my day

All of this hard work will (yes, selfishness can be challenging), in turn, allow me to better my school, students, and the profession.

So, are you with me? Can you pledge allegiance to yourself for the sake of our current students and future leaders?