Two Decades, Countless Lessons
When I look back over my 20 years in education, I see a journey filled with more than just lesson plans and report cards. It’s been a path of growth, challenge, joy, and reflection. Teaching isn’t just a job, it’s a calling that stretches every part of who you are, especially when you work in service-based roles.
Over the years, three key themes have shaped my experience and kept me grounded: patience, purpose, and people. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are the pillars that helped me show up day after day, ready to give my best to my students, my community, and myself.
Patience: The Quiet Superpower
When I first started teaching, I thought patience was just about waiting calmly. I quickly learned it’s so much more. Patience means staying present even when progress feels slow or invisible. It means believing in someone else’s potential even when they can’t see it themselves yet.
There were days when a student struggled to grasp a concept, or when a class was restless, or when outside challenges spilled into the classroom. On those days, patience was the glue that held everything together.
I also learned to be patient with myself. Early on, I expected to have all the answers and to fix every problem immediately. But growth, whether for students or teachers—takes time. The most important things often happen in small, almost invisible steps.
Patience is a gift we give to others and to ourselves. And in service careers, it’s a superpower that fuels perseverance and hope.
Purpose: The Heart of Every Day
Why do we do what we do? For me, purpose has been the heartbeat behind every lesson and every late night. It’s the reason I wake up even when the work is tough, even when the progress seems slow, even when burnout whispers in my ear.
My purpose is simple: to help students believe in themselves, to open doors to opportunity, and to build a community where every young person knows they matter.
Purpose isn’t a flashy thing. It’s quiet, steady, and sometimes feels like a small flame when you’re surrounded by challenges. But that flame is powerful. It guides decisions, shapes priorities, and keeps you aligned when distractions arise.
When your purpose is clear, the work stops being just a job and becomes a meaningful mission. That’s what kept me going, and what I hope every service professional finds for themselves.
People: The Reason We Serve
At the heart of education and any service-based career, are the people. The students, the families, the colleagues, the community. They’re the reason we show up, the reason we care, and the reason we keep going.
Over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing incredible resilience, creativity, and growth. I’ve seen students overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable. I’ve watched families support their children in ways that inspired me. I’ve worked with teachers and staff who poured their hearts into every day.
This work taught me that relationships matter more than any curriculum or policy. When you invest in people, truly see them, listen to them, believe in them, you create the foundation for lasting change.
And the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. Serving others is deeply rewarding, but it also requires care and respect for your own well-being.
Lessons That Go Beyond the Classroom
My time in education has given me lessons that extend far beyond schools. Patience taught me to listen and stay grounded in all parts of life. Purpose reminded me to focus on what truly matters, even in chaos. People showed me the power of connection, empathy, and community.
If you work in any kind of service, whether healthcare, social work, counseling, or beyond, these lessons ring true. The work can be challenging and sometimes thankless, but it’s also transformative and deeply meaningful.
A Word of Encouragement
If you’re in service work, feeling tired or overwhelmed, remember this: your patience plants seeds of growth that may take time to bloom. Your purpose lights the way for others, even when the path looks uncertain. And the relationships you build are the heartbeats of lasting change.
You are not alone. Your work matters. And your efforts ripple out in ways you may never fully see.
Looking Forward With Hope
As I reflect on these 20 years, I don’t see an ending but a beginning. Every day brings new challenges and new opportunities to practice patience, live with purpose, and cherish people.
I’m grateful for this journey and excited for what’s ahead, not just for me, but for every person dedicated to serving others with heart and humility.
Here’s to the next 20 years of learning, growing, and making a difference, one moment, one person at a time.