Gandhi Didn't Say That (or My Life's Philosophy is Based on Lies)

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi

These words speak to me deeply on both a personal and professional level. I like improving, fixing, refining, perfecting. Whining and complaining are pointless to me unless it part of your path to exploring solutions. If you want things to be different, be different yourself. It's this notion that I have built my teaching career around.

Aaaand, it turns out to be a bunch of hooey. Or at least, Gandhi never actually said it. So what's a girl to do when she finds out her mantra is not the wisdom of a great thinker, but likely the invention of some bumper sticker printer?  If you're me, you go ahead and try to be the change you wish to see in the world anyway.

Here's the thing, whether the quote is attributed to Gandhi or Garfield, the sentiment rings true. I'm not going to change the world by complaining, expecting others to change, or just sitting on my duff. So this past week, I did two things to push myself into being the kind of teacher I want to see in my schools, the kind I want my daughter to have--the kind that takes risks.

First, I joined an unconference called EdCamp QC. It's professional development flipped on its ear. Instead of a panel-selected conference agenda, the participants walked in, suggested topics, and the agenda was set on the spot in about 30 minutes. BAM! It's pretty powerful to be in a room full of teachers (on a SATURDAY!!) who chose to be there and get to choose what to talk about. Game changer. While it wasn't the most amazing, magical, unicorns-and-monster trucks PD I've ever done, it has helped me think differently. And shifting my thinking IS amazing stuff.

After my EdCampQC experience, I felt gutsy enough to jump into the deep end of Twitter. I had a partner in my madness, so Megan and I co-hosted a Twitter Chat (#SCsnowchat) on our most recent school snow day. Wow--what a wonderful way to connect with teachers--both friends and strangers. It's something I will definitely be adding to my PD repertoire.

So maybe Gandhi didn't tell me to do it, but I am grateful for that piece of bumper sticker wisdom for pushing me to try new things, being willing to fail, and growing as an educator. Because that's the change I wish to see in the world.

How about you?  What message is sticky noted to your mirror or monitor?  Share your bumper sticker widsom with me by clicking the Tweet button below!