To all my ambitious and aspiring educators, creators, makers and dreamers with big hearts to serve and make this world a better place enjoy the moment you are in — *sings*  “Be like waaaaater….let it flow, water. Just let go, be like water. Where we end up we don’t know ….water.”

I have always had a deep admiration and respect for Teachers and Artists. In fact, my absolute worst interview was when I was interviewing as a finalist for our school district’s Teacher of the Year competition to move on to the county competition. When asked why I should be selected as our district’s Teacher of the Year, I literally had no response. All I could think about were my amazing colleagues and could not begin to articulate why it should be me and not them. 

I also have a deep admiration for Artists. I love art in general and truly enjoy and respect the artistry that goes into creating music. My husband is a musician and a retired music producer. He recently shared an Artist with me — PJ Morton and his album, “Watch The Sun.” It’s a great album, but one song in particular resonated with me and caused me to think about the profession I love, education, my colleagues, creators, makers and dreamers. The song title, “Be Like Water.”

Educators are passionate. We show up and fight for kids each day. People think doctors or lawyers invest time and resources in their education, they do but I’d be willing to bet educators invest more time and resources learning how to teach, as well as support students and their families. Our profession not only requires the degree (four to five years), there are required credentials and induction programs that require research, projects and professional development while working full-time in our profession (I can only speak about California). 

Earning a teaching credential can take one to two additional years. If you decide to get a Masters Degree you can add an additional one to two years; I think that puts most of us at about seven to eight years. Let’s say an educator decided to specialize in Special Education, Gifted and Talented Education or decided to become a school leader — we can add an additional one to two years; I think that puts us at nine to ten years. Now, If you decide to become a school leader you can add an additional two years for an induction program that includes continued education, research and project implementation; again, this all happens while we are working as educators. We won’t even discuss a doctorate degree. All of the degrees and credentials cost time away from our loved ones and tuition. 

My point, and perhaps I should have said this first, educators are not only passionate about students but we have invested a great deal of resources (time and financial) to learn to serve students, their families and our colleagues well. So you can imagine — when we are finished with all the education and induction programs WE ARE READY to serve in new ways!!! But …. I am here to remind us (myself included). . . sometimes we get to be like water (I appreciate one of our organization’s leaders reminding us that we “get to serve”). Getting to be like water gives us space to reflect, re-center, learn through followership and rev-up for our next opportunity to serve. It is also a special moment in time to redirect some of our energy inwards or initiatng special projects in different context. 

To all my ambitious and aspiring educators, creators, makers and dreamers with big hearts to serve and make this world a better place enjoy the moment you are in — our time is coming. For now, do what the song says and “Be Like Water.” 

Listen below and enjoy.