re•sil•ience
noun \ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s\
1: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
2: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change -- Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience
3: the way educators behave and react on a daily basis -- Source: Kay Shurtleff
It’s the time of year when change is inevitable. Teachers are transferring, kids are graduating, people are retiring, new teachers are entering the profession, families are moving. At best, it’s tumultuous and stressful. Add to that an unusually eventful legislative session with the changes it will bring, and May feels like a professional earthquake.
What do we do? What we always do: wait for the dust to settle, hold on to the reason we entered our profession, continue to inform and improve our teaching practices, and purpose to do the right thing for kids. It’s in the DNA of our professional bodies.
As you look toward summer and whatever it brings for you, let me say first, thank you for your resilience. And second, take a little time this summer to relax and refill your resilience reservoir.
Kay Shurtleff
TCTELA President