(you’re gonna hear me) Roar

Dear Teacher,

Monday again.  Get pumped up.  You’ve got this.  Today is yours.  This week is yours.  You are a teacher…Mondays are your day to shine!

For that reason, you need a theme song.  You need to let this week know that you are coming.  It is time for the “You” show.  This theme is your song and your introduction to the week.

I have your theme ready, but this week is going to be a little different.  Before I let you click play, I have something for you to read first.

I knew what song I wanted to feature this morning, but when I went on a video search I came across a cover of this song, and an amazing, heart-breaking, and inspiring story.  I decided that even though the music side of this version is not as powerful, the story behind this one makes this version a thousand times more inspiring,  I think as teachers, this one is going to make us face the week even more courageous than we would have without reading, seeing, and hearing it.

I want you to read this before playing the song.  It is the description from YouTube.  It tells the story of Olivia Wise.  It tells why this song was recorded and presented on YouTube.  Please read and be inspired.

Olivia Wise has Brain Cancer. She came into a recording studio for her first time and recorded the Katy Perry song Roar. She couldn’t walk or stand, she didn’t have her full breath or the energy she used to, and she was managing her new pains and new limitations. While her physical condition was rapidly fading, her spirit remained untouched.

Olivia is a fighter and has gone through the fire, in fact, she was going through the fire while she recorded this song, but you wouldn’t know it, because she was dancing right through it. She is an inspiration, a champion, and my hero. This is her Roar.

To donate to the Liv Wise Fund: http://www.livwisefund.com
To donate to the Liv Wise Fund:http://my.sickkidsdonations.com/perso…
or Phone 416-813-5320

Here is a CNN story about her and her recording of the song.

I am not sure what I can say after this story.  I am not sure if I need to say anything.

What worries you?

What stresses are you dreading this week?

What pressures are you feeling?

What makes you anxious?

Do these things matter in the grand scheme of things?  Do they need to own your energy and patience?  Do they need to master you?  Do they need to break you this week?

What is most important?  What matters most?  What deserves your time and energy?  What deserves you and your life?

Focus on what really matters.  Focus on your students.  Focus on your fellow teachers.  Focus on your family.  Focus on what helps you be there for others.  Focus on you (in a good way).

After hearing what others are going through and fighting through, it really gives us perspective on ourselves.  Really, what is it that truly matters?

What is the big picture?  What, if we think about it, won’t matter later?  Can we let those things go?  Can we at least put them on the back burner?

I want to challenge you this week to let some of the stress go.  I want you to think of what your students need, need of you, and need you to be.  Put your energy there.  Spend your time there.  Let those things take your attention.  If other things go, or at least make them wait.  You will never regret putting your students and their learning first.

I think you will do more than not regret it, you will thank yourself for it later.  So will your students.  So will the future.

Focus on people this week.  Be there for students, teachers, friends, and family.

Don’t let the weekly pressures choke out the space you need to have for others.

Have the eye of the tiger.  Be louder than the lion.  Stand firm.  Let this week and the stress that comes with it hear you roar as you keep your priorities straight and you make a difference.

You are a champion.  Prove it.  Show it.  Roar!

You are amazingly awesome!  You are capable of not letting this week rule over you.  You won’t let it.  You will let your focus lie where it should.  You are going to roar!  I know you will!  You are a great teacher, so of course you will!  Be great and keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher