Lessons in Success
How do you define success? When I graduated it simply meant getting a teaching job. But, in 1996, teaching jobs were not abundant. As that first September came and went, I had no teaching job, and success didn鈥檛 seem within my grasp. I was fortunate to get hired working in Youth Programs at the Peel District School Board鈥檚 Centre for Education and Training. My role involved teaching as I supported youth and young adults in finding employment. Ironically, I was successful in supporting them, but I didn鈥檛 experience that same success when it came to my ideal profession.
A year later, I got my first job teaching a Grade 3-4 combined class. I was finally 鈥渟uccessful鈥. Or was I? I clearly remember the struggles associated with that first year and my inner dialogues. Was I effective? How was I possibly going to cover all of that curriculum? 聽Was I contributing enough to the school community? 聽Did the parents like me? Did the students like me? Did I really want to do this? Needless to say, I had a few insecurities. I was finally successful at getting the job, but felt like a failure. In addition to my perceptions, it was a year of political protests. As a new teacher, I was declared excess to the board. Fortunately, it was rescinded. Unfortunately, I was then declared excess to school. Needless to say, 鈥渟uccess鈥 seemed a long way off.
Many of the struggles I experienced that first year have subsided. But, some are still there and new ones have surfaced. I don鈥檛 know if I will ever stop wondering if I鈥檓 doing enough to support students. But what I DO know is that success is not a destination.
Over the years, I鈥檝e taught in many schools. Seven (to date) to be exact. As an Elementary Instructional Resource Teacher, I supported students and educators. Frequently changing grades and/or schools has expanded my understanding of teaching and learning. I have had numerous opportunities to develop and facilitate professional learning. Whether I am facilitating or participating in Professional Development, I am constantly growing.
In 2010, my Principal suggested I give Kindergarten a try. Initially, I can鈥檛 say I was excited about it, but I realized I couldn鈥檛 let complacency, or my own comfort, dominate decisions about my career. I鈥檝e always believed that discomfort equals growth. So I cautiously accepted. And everything changed. What I thought I understood about teaching was challenged by 3, 4 and 5 year olds. It was a lesson in humility that opened up more opportunities for learning that I hadn't expected. While I certainly engaged in my own professional learning, I realized I needed to make children鈥檚 learning visible to families, so I started a blog called Crayons, Wands and Building Blocks. I didn鈥檛 anticipate how the blog would also encourage and support other educators on their own journeys. I have continued to have opportunities to facilitate professional learning in the Early Years at the school and board level. 聽As an instructor with OISE, I am continually honoured to support educators across the province as they deepen their understanding of the Early Years through Additional Qualifications courses.
For most of my career, I considered leadership as the defining element of my success. Leadership, I began to realize, has many facets. As a teacher, I co-learn and support children in their academic, social, and emotional development. As an Early Years Lead, I support colleagues. As a co-researcher with students and as a reflective practitioner, I connect with educators as we support each other in our understanding of the Early Years in order to be responsive to the needs of children.
So, how do I define success today as opposed to the onset of my career? I鈥檝e realized that for me, it鈥檚 about being present. Success happens daily. It happens when students are truly engaged in their learning. It happens when a colleague shares their own learning based on conversations we may have had. It happens when I get a word of thanks from a student, or a colleague, or a parent.
Success is accepting that we are exactly where we need to be. Success is embracing the struggles, so that we can appreciate the gains. Success is celebrating the growth in ourselves and in our students. It happens when we feel like we鈥檙e doing what we were truly meant to do. 聽And I am.
Sergio Pascucci
91亚色, Faculty of Education 1996