Staying Driven

I was explaining my concern about not having a topic for a blog post this week to a friend over a croissant and coffee. In a very tongue-in-cheek manner, she asked if I’d want to write about the car-buying process, absolutely sure she had picked the most uninteresting topic; as it turns out, that offbeat suggestion was all the inspiration I needed for my post today. 

See, the car buying process really is an interesting one. It awakens us to something that’s an otherwise unconscious part of our lives. We live in a car culture, so driving is simply a part of our day that we grow accustomed to, and we take comfort in the routine of it — the mechanics, the logistics, the feel. No matter what you drive, you tend to situate things in a particular way that makes life in the car easier, more convenient, and tailored to your needs. For me, personally, there’s nothing worse than when my husband drives my car, which then necessitates having to change the seat settings and mirrors all over again when I finally reclaim it. The habit — the autopilot of it all — can become quite a comfort, so when that gets disrupted in any way, you really take notice, which can be awkward and discomforting. Sometimes the break in routine is only for a short period of time while your car is in the shop for scheduled maintenance. At other times, a piece of the cylinder coil breaks off and lodges itself inside your engine — this is when things become a bit more permanent, and suddenly you’re faced with the process of looking into getting a new car.

Once that ball gets rolling, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Everyone — yes, literally everyone — has an opinion. My five year old is bored by my Ford Explorer, expressing to me more than once that the Sweet & Sassy pink limo (complete with false eyelashes, mind you) offers a much cooler ride. Everyone weighs in when it’s time to make a big purchase like a new car, and despite their best intentions, they often project their own wants and needs onto you. It can be difficult to sort it all out and make out your own voice above all the noise. Then, once you actually make it to the dealership, they have their own agendas and quotas to reach. It’s hard to discern who has your back in all of this.

But just when it all gets to be a bit too much, and you start wondering if it’s more logistically feasible to move within walking distance of all the regular stops in your life — something miraculous happens. You get to test drive cars. You’re in the driver’s seat, literally and figuratively, and you finally have a chance to find the one that feels right. The seats conform to your shape. You hit the gas pedal and the car hugs the road at just the right angle. You grip the steering wheel and remember that you’re the one in control. You get to decide where you’re going and which turns to take, and the car responds perfectly to your handling. You’ve found the one.

Right, and what the Harry does any of this have to do with teaching and Genius Hour? Well, that’s where the fun comes in…

As teachers, we can get very comfortable with what has always worked for us, the tried and true methods and resources that have always served our students and us well. Sometimes we become such creatures of habit ourselves that we forget to stop, reflect, and evaluate our materials and processes to make sure that they are still a good fit. Take it easy on yourself if this resonates with you — it’s not for lack of interest or trying. With all of the outside demands pursuant to doing the job, the constant pressure to be an “edutainer,” and trying to stay current with all the buzzwords and fad techniques, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we are in control. It may occasionally take a shock to the system to make us stop and think, to reevaluate where we are as educators and to recognize our own growth, strength and talents. We get to take the pulse of our classroom on any given day, at any given time, and we’re the ones who decide when it’s time to hit the brakes and when it’s time put the pedal to the metal and go forth with reckless abandon toward whatever awaits us on the road ahead. 

This week’s message is to stop and take inventory every once in a while. Make sure you give yourself credit for the fabulous things you do, but also look hard at what you might be doing out of habit. Don’t get too complacent with the creature comforts. Be brave enough to try something new and unusual. It might help you grow in ways you never thought possible. Maybe you’ve outgrown some things and you’re ready to discover the new ones out there that are better suited for where you are now. Just remember that each and every time you hit the road, it’s not about the car; it’s about who’s behind the wheel.