Another year has come and gone. As we look back on 2024, it is clear the landscape of education continues to change. For educators, it has been another year of both challenges (school shootings) and triumphs (innovations in technology). Another year marked by an ongoing effort to meet the needs of diverse learners, and the struggles that come with it.
No matter what 2024 held for you, it has passed. When the world’s clock struck 12:00am on January 1st, the doors to 2024 closed, never to be opened again. As this new year dawns, I wanted my first post for 2025 to set the tone for an even better year. After all, that is what we wish for… right? A better year than the year before? In the field of education, we are responsible for setting up the next generation for success! No matter what position we hold, we definitely want to do better for the students we serve!
For me, I like to start my year with a theme! It’s usually one word that sets the tone for my year. One word that crosses over into every aspect of my life. One word that is the driving force behind everything I do. I struggled for what that one word would be, my theme for 2025!
I struggled because a lot of what I wanted to accomplish for 2024 did not occur! Like New Year’s resolutions, there were a lot of reasons why… not enough time, too busy, life’s distractions, finances, etc. Some reasons were good ones, some were not. Either way, my desire was to do better, and continues to be. My struggle ended when I watched Pastor Efrem delivered a well-timed message. His sermon was all about finishing strong and starting the new year with the end in mind. Beginning the year with the end in mind helps define where one wants to go, what one wants to do and accomplish, and then how to make that happen. A plan is put in place, with long term and short-term objectives. This plan becomes your purpose! This purpose becomes your driving force to accelerate. That’s it!!!
Purpose… as a verb, the dictionary defines it as to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself; to intend; to resolve to do something.
Accelerate… begin to move more quickly; increase in amount or extent; undergo a change in velocity.
My prayer for each of you is that God will purposefully accelerate your dreams, your hopes, your health, your family, and your finances. I wish purposeful acceleration on your courage, your hope, and your faith so that you overcome all the hurdles 2025 might put in your way. I pray for purposeful acceleration on your teaching, lesson prepping, determination, work ethic, perseverance, and drive. Purposeful acceleration on the days ahead and not the ones from behind!
I wish you Happy Blessed New Year of Purposeful Acceleration!