Afternoon Pages

“What’s Your 3-Foot ‘Circle of Influence’?”

Especially through the lens of “Teacher as an Advocate” I feel as though I am not hindered by my reach. While I may have to stand on my tippy toes to reach a little further than a teacher who is more established than me, because I am a first year teacher, I still think it is what is the driving force behind that actions that I am taking. Luckily for me that is within in myself and I don’t have to reach at all. I think this all relates to what our core beliefs are and making sure that we instill that in every student that comes through our doors. If I can show my students my belief of love and have them take that with them then I am making my circle that much larger. Little things like what Frank does on the bus to change the outlook will change the willingness of our students to create that 3 Foot Circle too. As a beginning teach that is the closest impact you have is your students. By making sure that they are being impacted positively by your reach and taking it with them, you grow your circle now being able to reach the more established teachers and higher-ups within the community of education. While they will still be within your reach as a first year teacher, they are much further to reach. They will listen but it will be much harder for them to believe in the impact you are having.