Dr. Leigh Alley is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Maine at Augusta, the designer of the first-ever Masters of Arts Program in Whole Child Education, and the co-founder of xSELeratED. reclaiming the mantel of social-emotional learning in teaching and learning. This multi-talented educator is also the author of the Shiny Friends Super Squad children's book series.
"Just like the longer days ahead, we have the ability to stretch our reach by deepening our impact and nurturing students and colleagues alike."
As we "spring forward" into a new season, we're reminded that just as the world around us begins to bloom with fresh life, so too does our own potential for growth. The beginning of Daylight Savings offers more than just a shift in time; it symbolizes a chance for educators to embrace new opportunities, adapt, and evolve. Just like the longer days ahead, we have the ability to stretch our reach by deepening our impact and nurturing students and colleagues alike.
Spring invites us to reflect on how we can cultivate growth—not only in others but also within ourselves, as lifelong learners and leaders in the classroom and beyond.
What follows are fifteen thought-provoking questions that connect the theme of "springing forward" with the goal of making an impact as educators, doing meaningful work, and leaving a legacy. I encourage you to use them as prompts for reflection and discussion, and, most importantly, for SPRINGboarding opportunities!
How can we use the "spring forward" time change as a metaphor for personal and professional growth in our role as educators?
What steps can we take to ensure that the work we do every day has a lasting impact on our students, both academically and personally?
In what ways can we shift our approach to teaching to create a more positive, forward-thinking learning environment?
How can we inspire students to take ownership of their learning and, in turn, become catalysts for change in their communities?
As educators, how can we model resilience and adaptability, especially when facing challenges or shifts in our profession?
How can we create a culture in our classrooms that encourages both growth and reflection, helping students to “spring forward” in their own development?
What legacy do we hope to leave as educators, and how can we begin working toward that today?
How can we empower students to see themselves as active participants in shaping their futures through every changing season of their lives, much like how the time change signals new opportunities for growth?
What can we do to ensure that our work aligns with our core values and leaves a meaningful, lasting impact on both students and the broader community?
How can we use the concept of "springing forward" to challenge ourselves and our students to take risks and embrace new opportunities for learning?
In what ways can we collaborate with fellow educators to create a broader, more lasting impact within our school, district, and world?
How can we balance the demands of our daily responsibilities with the desire to contribute to a larger, more meaningful purpose in education?
What small, consistent actions can we take to plant seeds of change that will flourish and create a lasting legacy in the lives of our students?
How can we encourage students to reflect on their own growth and progress, just as we reflect on the significance of the time change each year?
What does it mean to "spring forward" in our own professional development, and how can we model this for our students?
Spring forward with purpose in this season, Worthy Educator, knowing that the work you do matters and leaves lasting impact!
Hear more from Leigh!
Masters in Whole Child Education | xSELeratED: Reclaiming the Mantel |
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