Teacher leadership needs to be like the Santa Claus Clause—to shift our focus to what we can give to the younger generation of students and teachers.
When we are older, we have to shift our focus to giving joy and love to others.
Greater joy comes from giving to others than from taking for ourselves.
The payoff of giving might be delayed, but the joy is worth it.
As a person grows older, they have to shift focus to becoming the person for someone else, like the older person who made their first days and years exciting.
The legacy of a leader is defined by what they give to the younger generation, not by what they receive.
COVID-19 has reminded us that almost everything owed to us as teachers can be taken away, but time spent building others up cannot.
No pandemic can remove the legacy that a person leaves behind by giving what they have to the people they love.
In summary, Teacher leadership should be about giving your time, energy, and expertise to build up the next generation of students and teachers.
Becoming a Santa Claus for someone else can make this holiday season full of joy and hope.