Let me introduce myself

Why I teach...still.

I started this newsletter three months ago and realized that I haven’t properly introduced myself. As an educator, I find that the best way to get to know someone is to learn about their WHY. So, let me share why I teach.

My name is Adrian and I teach the 5th grade in a public school district in Colorado.

Why do I teach? Twenty years ago, when I first started teaching, I would have probably said something like, “children are the future” or “to make the world a better place.” I was young and excited and, maybe a bit naive then. 

If I’m being completely honest, despite my best intentions, I’ve grown more cynical over the years. I’ve seen curricula and initiatives come and go…and come back again. I’ve struggled to make ends meet while defending my choice to be a public educator. I’ve been in the classroom during major events: the war in Iraq, the invention of the iPhone, 9/11, and most recently during COVID. I have felt burned out and I’ve even considered leaving the profession.

So, why have I stayed? Ultimately, why do I teach? I teach because despite all of this, I still believe that my students matter. It is always and only about them. I show up every single day for my students. Teaching is hard and most days, I don’t know if I am making a difference. But what I AM certain of is that my students are worth every struggle.

These years have been an incredible gift. I love teaching. I love working with students. I love being a tiny part of their amazing lives. I love helping students learn and seeing their faces light up when they understand something. I love connecting with my students. Whenever I worry about the state of our world, I think about my students and believe that we just might be okay. They question EVERYTHING! If something isn’t equitable or just, young people today feel an incredible amount of agency to change it. They have no patience for “deliberate speed.” They want a more inclusive world, and they wanted it yesterday, and I feel great pride in helping.

Being an educator all this time has not jaded me. I still believe in public education and I believe in my students. I still believe that I have a civic and moral responsibility to be an educator.

I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know what the world will look like in another twenty years or how I will feel at that point, but I do know that I will continue to work with my students as long as I can so that they are inspired to change the world…because they matter. They always have. They always will.

Thanks for slowly getting to know me through these weekly newsletters. If you ever want to chat, collaborate, or have questions, please feel free to reach out.

Have a great week!

—Adrian

Resources

Find Your WHY by Simon Sinek

Start With WHY by Simon Sinek