Not only did I used to say that I didn't want to be a teacher, but I also said I never want to be a "boss." I never wanted to be in charge of other people or have to own up to mistakes. Now I realize what this was: I had very little confidence in myself and my abilities.
No, I'm not the boss of a fortune 500 company, or even a small start-up. But I am in charge of about 100 children every single day. I am their example, their educator, and, to an extent, their caretaker. And I'm thriving in ways I never thought I would.
The other day the language department head came into my room, as she sometimes does to check and make sure things are running smoothly in my classroom. "Why did you dismiss the children already?" She asked me. "They made an announcement saying they would tell us when to dismiss them."
The old me would've made up an excuse. The new me said, "I made a mistake. I let them out at the time given on the info sheet we received." I waited for the lecture. All I got was, "Me too! They've been announcing too many things lately to keep things straight."
Moral of the story? Everyone makes mistakes, even those who are in a position of power. Mistakes don't make you a failure or inadequate. Or unable to be a leader. They make you human.
Which is exactly what I am.
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