We Are Connected
A guest blog by Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam 11/27/20
I am making an assumption and perhaps you might agree - educator to educator – K-12 to Higher Ed – that we are all in this together. Yes, we are connected. United, we strive to support all that enters and gets caught up within our realm. We anchor our work in a philosophy of education, and believe at our core, that learning is a life-long process. We want to help students succeed. We care.
“Caring people help others not because they expect a reward but because it is natural to show kindness. ”
We all travel different paths and I, consciously or unconsciously weave the ethos of care throughout my educational and personal journey. I and perhaps you as well:
want students to succeed
believe the health, wellness, and safety of our students is of the utmost importance
strive to provide opportunities to include family and loved ones in the educational community/journey
work alongside colleagues to ensure that issues of concern are addressed and appropriate resources are provided
incorporate core values as guiding principles for our students and myself
believe that processing leads to creating processes and protocols; providing a level of consistency in our work
am a caretaker - who must also take care of myself – a self-compassion exercise that is easier said than done - for me anyway.
There is no doubt that 2020 has been unprecedented for the field of education. Unprecedented has to be in the running for word of the year. COVID has presented challenges and boldly demanded mental and physical chunks of time. It is evident – and perhaps you concur - that we are fitting family and loved ones around our work demands. Indeed, I was challenged Pre-Covid. I surmise I put in 100% or seemingly more effort into my work, family, work, relationships, work, chores, work, etc., work, every day. Often the gas tank was low and perhaps – well I know - I was running on fumes attempting to fit it all in. I thought I was working hard then. Today, I find it amazing how my colleagues and I have seemingly found more gas in the tank – or is that we continue sipping on fumes?
“Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. ”
The fuel that keeps me going, and perhaps you too:
belief in humankind – we are our future
belief in my chosen field and my desire to see its purpose fulfilled – education K-12 and Higher Ed – is essential and worthy
the belief that we can have a conversation about anything – conversation is free – communication is essential
the hope that as human beings we really do simply want to get it right
the belief in youth – they are our future
the fear and anxiety of not getting it right; of not caring for one another; of humankind not being human kind; of not providing our students with access to opportunities to learn and grow.
Who better to meet this moment with insight and a sense of humor than an educator?
“I’m a work in progress without a completion date. ”
“If not now, when?” became my mantra when COVID-19 set in. I ruminated. When will I strike a balance between work and home? When will I find time for me? What does that look like? How do I keep loving what I do? How do I keep family at the forefront? How do I catch everything that gets caught up within my realm?
“You owe yourself the love you so freely give to others.”
I’m keeping my eye on the prize.
Amid all the busyness, amidst all the uncertainty, I reflect on why I chose this work --- to connect, to communicate, to be of service, to support, to laugh, to create, to make a difference, and learn with and from others.
Dear colleagues, let me end where I began. I assume that we are more alike than unalike. We are connected.