Living in the past, no matter how great it may be, can lead to emotional drag for you and unfair comparisons and contrasts for your students. Effective teachers realize the importance of being fully present for their students and coworkers. They also know that putting good memories where they belong and turning the page on the negative are critical keys to finding longevity and peace in our profession.

As a regular part of your process, utilize content experts/professionals, interventionists, and strong continuing education resources. Make relationships with people outside of your classroom and leverage them to generate better outcomes for your students. Don't just focus on your output. Feed the starving baker and focus a little more on input. In the long run, you will become more efficient and effective, not to mention your students will be the beneficiaries of more meaningful lessons.

As an educator, if you aren't venturing into the unknown, you are reducing your effectiveness as a classroom manager, content leader, and professional colleague. Don't grow or change for the sake of growing and changing. Instead, venture into the unknown to add to your toolbox. Those new tools can impact lives in such an incredible way - including your own.