Chase a Moment

Recently I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, The TED Radio Hour. On this particular episode, The Hero's Journey, host Guy Raz was talking with children's author Jarrett Krosoczka. Jarrett shares the impact that mentors had on his life. (I will include a link to the show at the bottom. You should give it a listen.) Jarrett is able to cite precise moments that these mentors touched his life. I found the accounts he shared especially inspiring from an educators' perspective. They inspired me because they were normal people performing normal actions. While listening to his accounts, I could not help to think "I could have done that." My fellow educator, you could have been these mentors. We all could have been one of these individuals in this author's life that impacted him in such a positive manner.

I was so charged up after listening to Jarrett's story because it was simple. With no fear of being redundant, we all could have made this impact! In our daily interactions with children, in what may seem the smallest, most insignificant moment, we can make an impact. It could be the music teacher, telling a student how great a child sounds playing their recorder. It could be the encouraging feedback a language arts teacher gives a student on their creative writing. The beautiful thing is that this could happen at any time If. It can happen if we live in the moment. It can happen if we are always present. It can happen if we are always there for students. It can happen if we see the positive in every situation. It can happen if we remember the potential our students possess.

Moments are out there. Chase them. Chase small, seemingly insignificant moments that just may inspire students to succeed. Chase moments where you can make a difference. Chase moments where we can boost a student's confidence, foster a memory, or strengthen a relationship. Slow down. Share a kind word. Notice a student's hard work. Make an impact. Take an extra step. Make a child's day. Never forget that the smallest gesture or act could have an enormous impact. You might just positively alter the trajectory of a student's life. Give chase!