2018-2019 exceeded my all my expectations. I did not imagine how representing Sumter County would propel me towards such exciting people, events, and projects for me and my students to develop. Throughout that year, I gained wisdom from a variety of teacher experts and learned lessons in humility and faith.
 
I am grateful because being the 2019 Sumter County Teacher of the Year turned this once dehydrated teacher into a believer of what is possible when given the right kind of water to drink.
 
What I know to be true about teachers is this-
We are stressed, but we love what we do and do what we love.
We are tired, but we cling to moments when we see that we make a difference.
We are sleepy and a little crazy because we are stressed and tired.
Yet…
We are thirsty to be inspired, acknowledged that what we do matters.
We are thirsty to have our voices amplified. To be heard and to be understood.
 
Last November, I visited New York City and heard Carl Lentz with Hillsong speak about a dehydrated soul.  As he preached this wonderful sermon, I began to wonder…
 
What does my dehydrated “teacher” soul look like?
 
As Lentz described a variety of typical signs of fatigue, I realized sometimes I just don’t feel like teaching. I become weary of constantly forgiving petty insults. In fact, when I find myself dehydrated, I suffer the inability to make one more decision. Yucky stuff begins to stick to my soul.
 
A dehydrated teacher soul means that I have lost control of my essential coping and motor skills. I stop reaching out, asking for help, moving forward, and doing what I have been called to do. We all know that teachers have not been called to an easy job. I begin to lose my desire to jump in with enthusiasm and faith.
 
Lentz said it well. “It’s a thirst gone wrong kind of problem.” It is the inevitable dehydration that comes when we work so hard.
 
Sometimes we do have a “water shortage” in education. Lentz perfectly explained it to me. I sang praises to my Lord as he reminded me (and the congregation of hundreds) that I do not have a well problem!  Living water is the only thing that will soothe this dehydrated soul.
 
Throughout my 26 years of teaching, I have witnessed my teacher friends take beautiful care of each other. They even drag me to the well of living water when I forget how to get there. Mark 9:24 reminds me- that “Lord I have faith. Just help my weak faith to be stronger.” When I cannot make it one more step, my teacher family brings that precious living water from the well to me.  They know how to find me in those lowest of low moments and share their faith and life stories with me. They also remind me to laugh and remember what is good and wonderful in this profession and why I teach. 

How many different ways do we- the teachers- celebrate one another, lift each other up, offering support in good and bad times?
 
We do this with our words, reminding each other to find joy in the day He gives us. If you are dehydrated, don’t let the dry words invade your spirit because you’ll only have dry crumbs to offer others.
 
Say positive things, words of praises. Let the fresh water wash the negative out of your head, heart, and mind. Hold on to what is good and so others see His light shine through you.
 
Lentz also suggested that “if you don’t like what you are doing, change what are you are drinking!” I’m sure many people wondered what I’d been drinking last year as I dove into so many projects as I planned my daughter’s wedding. 

The dehydrated teacher soul…
Remember it is a water problem, not a well problem. We discover the peace He provides when we let Him quench our thirst with Living Water.
Nothing satisfies my soul and brings me peace like Jesus does.
 
I’ll finish how I started, grateful and blessed beyond measure by my friends, my family, and my gracious and loving God.
He is the author of all my circumstances.
He is the one who fills that my soul when I am dehydrated.
He is the one who sent beautiful people into my life to remind me to go sit by the well of Living Water.

​“What will you do with what you are learning?”

I routinely put this question before my students as they progress through language courses. I have found that when students discover their voices and believe in themselves, they will become fearless as they begin their journey.

As their teacher, what do I say to myself?
I remind myself that It’s not about me.

Each day in my classroom, I become more aware of students who greet me with either hugs or shrugs, laughter or attitude, and hope or anxiety. When those precious hearts and sometimes bull headed egos walk through my door, they often bring preconceived notions about why they must learn another language. My mission is to inspire each one of them to do great things in any language.

How do you inspire your students?

Be fearless. Know your strength.
The secret to being fearless is to understand your source of strength and integrity. Go to that source constantly, filling your soul with inspiration for students and one another. I am grateful for the invaluable lessons I’ve learned over my lifetime for there are a myriad of influences on my teaching.  Who I am as an educator is a direct reflection of not only the most encouraging individuals in my life, but also the harshest. I have learned more from my mistakes and mistakes of others than I have by trying to be perfect. 

It is important to recognize teachers, college professors, friends, adversaries, pessimists, and encouraging coworkers who shape our lives. Be fearless in finding self-confidence to let go of what or who holds you back from accomplishing tasks before you.  This requires discernment that develops over time and with experience. Inspirational teaching occurs with the educator who has been exposed to hardship as well as success and is not afraid to share these lessons.

Be fearless. Tell the truth.
Students are watching.  Serving others is most effective when we integrate compassion, honesty, and professionalism into our conversations at school. If a student is not going to learn honesty at home, he will look to his teacher. Keep your promises. Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that don’t have brains enough to be honest.” Fearlessly admit mistakes no matter how humbling it can be. Apologize.

Students need to witness adults who lead authentic lives, so don’t pretend to be someone you are not. I am not Latina, Haitian, French or even Canadian French, but I let my scholars know that this woman from South Georgia loves her job! I always know that I’m not the smartest person in the room because I prefer to surround myself with awesome people. Common sense reminds us to ask others for help when it is needed. For times you need courage and conviction to speak up, be responsible with your discourse and true to your character or heritage. In doing so, practice letting good words reach your mouth before the ugly ones.

Be fearless. Explore our world.
I nurture my insatiable love for new experiences, and as one trip ends, I plan the next. My travel stories engage my students as they begin to imagine themselves in the places we discuss. When I travel, I reaffirm my passion for teaching and life. I boldly speak to everyone I can, asking where they are from and where they are headed because people crave to be heard and understood by someone else. People tell me their stories because I ask them. When they want to know mine, I am ready to share.

Last July, I visited a refugee center in Rome, Italy, and sat at a table with three men, all from different war torn Middle Eastern countries. Stereotypes were shattered and fear was dispelled as we played dominos, spoke French, and laughed at my decidedly poor game. Language, culture, and compassion were perfectly aligned for an afternoon. In this defining moment of my visit, I realized there is still so much more for me to learn.

Be fearless. Accept the dreaded morning car duty with grace.
It is twenty minutes of smiling at others and welcoming them to school. Begin each workday with laughter, hugs, and waves. Be fearless and cheerful as you inspire others to embrace another day of learning about our incredible world.

Educators should challenge students with the best tools, not the tired tools, to bravely find their way. 

I asked my husband Bob one time to tell me what kind of bird I resembled. I thought of a hummingbird because it flutters around mesmerizing those who watch. Perhaps a swan, graceful and beautiful.

Nope- no romantic answers from my guy. He said. “Jo- you are a goose!” I was mortified and offended. I immediately began searching for redemptive qualities in geese.

Yep, I am a goose. And I kinda like it. 

I lead or I follow, depending on whom I am flying with on any given day.

I fly or I float, depending on the activity or event.

According to my brief yet extensive research, geese are considered to be among the finest and most elegant looking birds that nature has acquainted us with. I like that I found such descriptive words as amicable, loyal, caring, and helpful. These traits with which a goose is identified remind me of the person I aspire to be.

And it gets more interesting. Geese fly together in that giant “V” because it helps each bird fly stronger and with more purpose than it could if it were alone. One goose gets tired, so it rotates back giving another goose the front position. Lifting power in that formation ensures group support for one another. A gaggle of geese cares for one another. If one goose becomes sick or wounded, the group simply will not fly off without it. A few will follow the ailing goose to protect him. The familiar honk we hear is actually encouragement. The loving power of geese is quite impressive.

That’s when I knew Bob was right. I am a goose and it’s all about the honk.

I’m going to honk now- encouragement, love, and support.  We teachers are a great big gaggle of geese.

Teachers are a special kind of family because we chose each other. We aren't born into our schools. We don’t have a lifetime of memories and love that build relationships. Nope – we sign up for the job. Literally, we sign contract after contract devoting our time and talents to schools and children, yet we evolve into a family like no kid has ever experienced. 

It is not perfect.
It is worth it.

A true teacher will pour out his or her best, emptying all emotional and physical resources into nurturing the potential of each kid in the room. In that idea, teachers who love their jobs are united. Unity is the best thing we have going for us. It is our most precious asset. I am grateful for my school, Furlow Charter. We respect the talents and strengths each person brings to our school home.
 
We listen.  We are intentional about it, hearing each other intelligently. 
           
We honor our calling as teachers to remain professional. One of our greatest strengths is that we honor our friendships. We must continue to be loving, caring, and merciful to everyone in this building. How many different ways do we teachers lift one another up, support each other in good and bad times? We do this by reminding each other to find joy and strength in the calling we have chosen. Our words are powerful. For good or bad, whether we intend them to sting or not. 

You matter.
Your words matter.
What we say to one another matters.
Being grateful matters.
 
We teach. And while we are teaching, we will be on guard, diligently watching ourselves so that we don’t forget what we have seen happen when a group of dedicated professionals contribute so much of ourselves into creating a vision for a wonderful school. 
 
I am also thankful for encouragement I receive from my dearest friends across the hall, next to me at car duty, or beside me in yet another team meeting. Because in my 26 years of teaching, my greatest moments of happiness at work have come from the people standing in the gap alongside me. Yes, I am still a goose.

Remember...
It’s all about the honk.
So honk like you mean it!