Choose Your Own Adventure

Remember why you signed up for this.
It wasn't for the joy of giving homework.
It wasn't to administer standardized tests.
It wasn't to put grades in a grade book.

Not for summers off.
Not for winter or spring break.
Not for class gifts.
Not for a paycheck.

You have a passion.
You have a desire to teach.
You have patience.
You show genuine love to each of your students.

You went to college.
You jumped through hoops.
You were inadequately prepared.
But you showed up early.
And you stayed late.

Show yourself!
So what, you're not tenured.
So what, you're being observed.
Take risks.
Don't be afraid to fail.
Your students are watching.
And they need to know it's okay!

To win the race,
You have to go through the red tape.
Don't be so easily deterred.
Don't let it scare you away.
Don't let it stop you from being you.

Don't let someone or something else dictate your adventure.
Choose your own.
At least then, you can say you did it your way.
Walk boldly in the direction of your dreams.