My children and I finally had the chance to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi over our holiday break. My hope is that those of you who are engaged in the Star Wars universe have already had the opportunity to see the movie, but I won’t spoil anything.
I will simply acknowledge that Luke Skywalker is not the same character that we are used to from our childhood. He has obviously changed. The question is whether he has changed because he has grown. Throughout the movie, we are led to wonder what his motivations are.
So, how are we as educators like Skywalker? I have been an educator for 15 years, and I know that I have changed as an educator. I would like to believe that my motivations, however, have remained the same. From day one, my mentor told me:
Every decision you ever make needs to be in the best interest of a child.
Like Skywalker, there have been times when I’ve been conflicted or reluctant, and recognize that I am not the same educator I was when I began.
I try to recognize how I have grown as education has changed over the past few years.
This growth and change is necessary.
Like Skywalker, we can’t remain the same forever.
We need to change, but to grow as educators also.
Growing and changing always.
Rich (@RACzyz)