What is your why? by GreatSchools Partnership https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq Why did you become an educator? Why do you continue to do this work? Add a picture and a brief description of your why. Heart at least two posts that resonate with you. Comment on another two posts that resonate with you. en-us 2022-08-11 13:25:29 UTC 2025-04-03 15:14:29 UTC hello@padlet.com For my nephew, Jamall greatschools https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2259054071 I want to help create a world where students like him will receive the best education this world has to offer! -Danielle ]]> 2022-08-11 13:26:13 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2259054071 Initially, to make a positive difference for kids and share my passion for making music. https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229533 After teaching for many years, I started feeling that I could have a bigger impact on students if I had a different role - and that proved to be true! What we all do day in and day out makes a difference for so many kids and our communities overtime, although we may not see that immediately.
Randy]]> 2022-08-17 12:28:45 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229533 Kids are where it is at! https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229631 Starting from a young age, I always wanted to be a teacher and have always loved working with kids. Kids energize me and help keep me young. -Jamey]]> 2022-08-17 12:28:54 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229631 Educational Opportunities https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229665 In order for all students to have access to all educational opportunities. 

Brandy ]]> 2022-08-17 12:28:58 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229665 Possibilities https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229867 I want all children to believe in themselves and know what possibilities lie ahead for them. I want to support and encourage children to experience new things and dream of what they could be.
-Lori]]> 2022-08-17 12:29:20 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229867 For the Love of Children https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229885 As a young child, I have always loved school and wanted to do all the “teacher” things! I loved writing on the board, photocopying, and reading many books aloud. I created my own classroom in my basement, and my two cats were my very first students. 
Teaching has always been my passion and I knew I had to continue my career in education. 
When I became a teacher, the students brought me great joy. I wanted to see them grow up to be successful in life. I was their advocate, their cheerleader and someone that believed in their full potential. I was inspired by a wonderful teacher and I am incredibly grateful to her for launching my career in education.  
🍎Kim Desjardins]]> 2022-08-17 12:29:21 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229885 Engaging in the possible https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229923 I love creating opportunities where learners of all ages can engage in the possible and achieve their potential. - Steve :-)]]> 2022-08-17 12:29:24 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263229923 Giving back to my community https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230041 I want to provide our students with the supports, experiences, and learning they need to become contributing citizens.
Paul]]> 2022-08-17 12:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230041 Helping Others to Learn and Grow https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230046 I love learning, and I live to inspire others to grow and learn -  colleagues, students and parents.  Melanie]]> 2022-08-17 12:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230046 https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230347 One evening a mother cried at her table stating one of her fears was her son not having a date for his senior prom.  I knew him well from watching him most weekends so I commented that I would always take him.  

When I was a college student, I was asked by this same mother if I meant what I said a few years prior.  I saw tears in her eyes yet again when I told her I had never been so sure of anything as I was the night I promised her I would take him.  

His prom was as magical as my own senior prom.  The roses, the little red sports car, the dinner, the dancing, and the special young man who fell asleep as I drove him home.  

ALL students deserve the same opportunities to shine.  I am only one person to help each student realize that "What makes you different is what makes you beautiful!"

~Jan Neureuther]]> 2022-08-17 12:30:01 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230347 Inspired by my father to choose this particular career path. He was a wise man with not much formal education but recognized the value in it. ~John https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230361 2022-08-17 12:30:02 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230361 https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230453 I got into teaching [skiing] because it's more rewarding to instruct than to repair (carrying someone down the hill on a ski patrol sled).

I continue to have the mindset of helping students succeed rather than repairing the damage.

Tina.]]> 2022-08-17 12:30:11 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230453 For the love of learning and kids dkilmister https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230642 As a young man and teacher, I was driven by curiosity and adventure. I loved learning. The more I taught, the more I enjoyed the energy, challenge and thinking of kids. I love students, pre-school through college. I want them to see the world anew every day. - Doug Kilmister]]> 2022-08-17 12:30:27 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230642 My love for children! https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230645 Ever since I was little, I aspired to be a teacher. Growing up, I always babysat, coached, and worked in after school programs. As I experienced different teachers, I wanted to create a classroom where all students felt safe and respected.  
Cathy Bickford]]> 2022-08-17 12:30:27 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230645 I wanted to make difference with children. All children need to know there is someone that cares about them. All children need to know there is someone they can trust. Margaret https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230657 2022-08-17 12:30:28 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263230657 For students and teachers https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231168 I became a teacher because I wanted to create a place where all kids felt like they belonged, where they were comfortable taking risks, and where they could learn about themselves and the world around them. I became a principal because I wanted to remove obstacles so that teachers could create the best learning environments and opportunities for all students. - Tiffany]]> 2022-08-17 12:30:56 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231168 Possibilities... https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231223 I want to give rural Maine kids opportunities they didn't even know were possible or existed. They are capable beyond their wildest dreams. -Jill]]> 2022-08-17 12:31:02 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231223 "Be Who You Needed When You Were Younger" https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231668 Growing up, a lot of my peers didn't have a trusted adult at school or at home and they needed help.  I want to create a world where all students feel valued and are accepted unconditionally for  who they are.  I want every school to have an awesome school counselor or social worker that all students can trust and turn to.  - Erin Flynn, K-12 Director of Counseling]]> 2022-08-17 12:31:47 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231668 Kids need us and we need them. https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231747   I want every child no matter what their background or story to make it academically and make connections to others.
    I continue this work because kids need us in their corner and I selfishly need kids in my life. They lift me with their wisdom, humor and perseverance. ]]> 2022-08-17 12:31:54 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263231747 Carrie https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232064 I want to help our District use its resources to the fullest to enable our children to succeed.]]> 2022-08-17 12:32:24 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232064 Support https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232121 I want to give love/support to all students.  I want all students to know that they will always have someone there for them. Tara]]> 2022-08-17 12:32:28 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232121 To help all kids be successful and love learning https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232205 I want to help all students feel included and successful in their school. ~Torrey]]> 2022-08-17 12:32:35 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232205 https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232802 The community that my kids will live in as adults will be built by the kids that we are teaching right now.  This keeps me going, even on the hard days.
~Jess]]> 2022-08-17 12:33:28 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263232802 To Help Kids and Build Community https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263233119 Public education is one of the most important pillars of society.  I want to help kids be the best they can be, and to build a strong community.  Our work is so important: it is educators who lay the foundation for literacy, democracy, and society.  

Heather]]> 2022-08-17 12:34:01 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2263233119 https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2270486980 Building positive relationships and opportunities for inquiry and exploration in learning are at the root of why I teach.  
-Sam]]> 2022-08-24 18:46:57 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2270486980 Look at that face. His possibilities are endless. I want to keep it that way. https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2270613715 In my early career as an outpatient counselor, one of my goals was to help young people find the hope in the future to get them through the tough times. As an educator, I help connect students with future goals that "fit" and then work with them through the steps to get there. Sometimes those steps include taking action and sometimes those steps include learning to avoid real life distractions. In short, my career goals have always been about hope and possibilities. ~Nancy]]> 2022-08-24 21:35:13 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2270613715 https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2270693539 I was 3 when i started holding "school time" for my stuffies and then eventually my younger sister was "asked" to join. From a young age, I knew I was meant to do this work--a calling. But, then, I was told that I couldn't and wasn't allowed to apply to college--that college wasn't for kids like me. (For the record: fear driven statement.)

I want kids (and now adults) to know that they are capable of setting and achieving goals. I want kids to know that it won't always be easy, but it will be worth it.  And I want them to believe that I will be there to cheer, support, teach, and love them as far as the journey takes us together. 

Anything is possible.




]]> 2022-08-24 23:54:28 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2270693539 Visual art https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2274644190 Kids keep me young and teach me something new everyday!]]> 2022-08-29 12:09:15 UTC https://padlet.com/greatschools/uxdm2f7381pr9sxq/wish/2274644190