Becoming an educator in order to change the world is a grand idea, but it’s a little impractical. In this pursuit, it is actually more effective to spark changes by focusing on smaller things.

Yes, children need to learn math, and reading. Yes, they benefit from physical activity and exploration of the arts. Yes, they enjoy science class and social studies class.

But, it is not the content of their subjects that is most important for them to learn. What’s most impactful is how they learn it, and how those processes are nurtured by teachers. That has a direct effect on the kinds of people students grow up to become.

Yes, students need to be critical thinkers. Yes, students need to practice having compassion for themselves and others, both what we share and our differences. Yes, students need to learn how to take responsibility. Yes, students need to learn how to have respectful dialogue and develop thoughtful opinions they can share articulately. Yes, students need to know about boundaries, both where theirs and others lie and how to respect and maintain them. Yes, students need to find other ways to cope when plan A fails, and just as importantly, they need to believe they can do that.

Teachers foster these lifelong skills for students, while simultaneously teaching their assigned subject matter. Some of these lessons are incorporated seamlessly within the day to day, and some are more explicit and direct teachable moments. The building of relationships matters. And while one teacher may not change the world or feel like they’ve made a big difference, if done right, a teacher will have made a big difference for some of their students. We’re not out there changing the world; we’re in the classroom here, teaching young people how to do it. Small scale; big impact. It’s like ripples in the water: they start off small, but watch how they grow. Watch the distance they reach. Educators generally feel quite powerless in their work; the bureaucracy can choke the life out of us sometimes. But what we do have is the power to affect change, a little bit at a time.

At least, that’s the dream.

School’s in session next week. Wish us luck!