Assessments change. Standards change. Demographics change. Initiatives change. Accountability measures change. Social and political impacts change. But there are always students. You can count on it.
It is worth the pause to get to know their stories, to honor their perseverance, to value how their struggles impact their priorities, and to appreciate how their worlds shape their habits. When we see them through a lens with equal parts of expectation and empathy, it makes the work more meaningful for us as educators, and magnifies our impact on their lives.
No matter which pendulum is swinging, you’re going to find students in the center. Let them be the most important thing you learn about each day, and the most important thing you teach in every lesson. They are the one initiative that won’t go away, and will be well worth your investment.
