2022 Reflections from the Educator Forever Team

2022 reflections from the Educator Forever team

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to take a moment to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and remind yourself of what there is to be grateful for. Making time for end of year reflections for teachers is so important to personal and professional growth.

While the road to success is windy at times with bumps and obstacles, we can take a moment to pause, remember we’re learning, and celebrate our accomplishments (no matter how small!). And the transition to a new year is the perfect time to do just that!

For Educator Forever, 2022 was an exciting year. From launching our Educator Forever podcast to starting our Curriculum Development Foundations Program, it’s been an adventure. 

Our team is so grateful to be alongside you—  our amazing Educator Forever community. We’re educators like you and have added several new team members this year. My greatest joy of the year has been building such a stellar team. 

We asked each team member to take a moment to make some end of year reflections on what they’ve learned and share what they’re looking forward to over our winter break. Here’s what they had to say:

Our 2022 Reflections

Evonne Hall, Program Coordinator 

What I learned this year: “You won’t find the time to build anything, you will have to make it.” This quote made me reevaluate a number of things in my life. I have always been an action taker, but it made me break down actions into one’s that are low-impact versus high-impact. We can be working on low-impact activities that never really move the needle (like researching jobs) or we can be doing high-impact activities (actually applying for those jobs!)

 
 

What I’m looking forward to on winter break: “Not having any papers for my graduate classes due!” I like to work hard and chill hard! Not having papers will mean I have more time in the evenings to hang out with my kids, read a good book, or play my favorite crossword puzzle app on my phone! I also love learning new things, so I’m hoping to do some baking classes virtually. 

April Brown, Learning & Development Manager 

What I learned this year: We need each other! Relationships ground and center us, and keep us rooted in hope. We’re thankful for our Educator Forever community and can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2023. We’re always rooting for you.” 

 
 

What I’m looking forward to on winter break: Going on winter adventures, fancy warm winter beverages, holiday traditions and spending time with my husband, two daughters and crazy dogs!

Allison Williams, Business Mentor  

What I learned this year: I am learning the value of collaboration over competition. Working together to accomplish common goals has been more beneficial for me this year than working at them alone.

 
Allison Williams business mentor
 

What I’m looking forward to on winter break: I am looking forward to spending time with family and going to Cirque du Soleil for the first time!

Blair Petersen, Marketing Manager

What I learned this year: Along with making time for gratitude each day, I’ve learned how important it is to follow your intuition, set boundaries, and take action to create the life you want. 

 
Blair Peterson, marketing manager for Educator Forever
 

What I’m looking forward to on winter break: I’m so excited to slow down and live in the moment with loved ones (and reset for the new year!).

Lily Jones, Founder & CEO

What I learned this year: As our business has grown, I’ve found myself getting busier and busier. I’ve learned to intentionally build time into my day to breathe, think, and rest. It’s essential! 

 
Lily Jones, founder of Educator Forever
 

What I’m looking forward to on winter break: Catching up on my “to-be-read” stack of books (it just keeps getting taller!) and spending time with my kids. 

Explore Your Own 2022 Reflections

End of year reflections for teachers (and former teachers) are one of the best things you can do if you want to head into the new year feeling refreshed, grateful and ready to take on new challenges.

When life has its ups and downs, it can be hard to see just how much progress you’ve made. Take some time at the end of this year to look back and see just how far you’ve come.

Lily Jonesgrowth mindset