Why Our Students Need More Hummingbirds This Year
Are you a bird watcher?
Do you ever take the time to watch birds and what they eat and how they take care of each other? Have you ever seen a group of vultures swarming over a road or field?
Vultures prey on dead things and have a very keen sight. They can spot dead animals from miles away.
In contrast, if you have ever noticed a hummingbird, they fly over landscapes with flowers and seek out the sweet things in life. In their travels, over a variety of landscapes, both vultures and hummingbirds fly over thriving and deceased plants and animals. However, they seek out exactly what they are looking for.
As humans, we are no different. There are hummingbird type of people and there are vulture type of people. Some constantly gravitate to the negative. Others consistently see the positive side of life. If you have a negative mindset, then depressing things are exactly what you will find. On the other hand, if you seek the positive and believe good things will happen, they will automatically come to you.
Every time my seven year has an attitude or becomes angry; I simply ask him, “Are you going to be a hummingbird or a vulture today?” He often doesn’t respond, but usually, the anger subsides. I ask him to reflect on his perspectives when certain resistances surface.
I now make this a consistent question, even for myself to reflect upon daily. I too, need to make an intentional effort to be the hummingbird. We could all take time to evaluate our thoughts daily and ask this simple question: “Am I being a vulture or a hummingbird?”
As educators across the country are returning to school this month, you must be keenly aware of your mindset toward your school, students, and communities you serve. A new school years mean new changes, new transitions, new students and new beginnings.
It’s during this time of transition, that you can find yourself drawn to the negative. You may expect the behavioral student to act the same as the previous year. Then there are staff meetings. You know, the ones at the beginning of the year you expect to be boring and long. It’s easy to anticipate the lack of time granted to decorate your classroom before open house. It’s easy to develop a vulture-like mindset during the beginning of school because change and transition are often scary for teachers. Teaching is a complex process and no day is ever the same, but your perspective is up to you. No matter the time of year, your administration, schedule changes that may arise, or who you have in your class……..take time to reflect on your attitude.
There are obstacles and opportunities every single day. As you walk back into your classroom for a new year, I ask you to reflect on your perspective. How will you choose to approach the staff meetings, the days before Christmas break, your attitude toward challenging students, the parent conferences, losing your planning period to fill in as a sub, testing and list goes on?
I challenge you this year to reflect on what it is you’re looking for each day. Choose this year to be the hummingbird! Look for the good, focus on the positive, and you just might find something sweeter than you ever imagined!
~Justyn Knox is the founder of Bringing Learning to Life. For more information visit www.bringinglearningtolife.com
