A new year. A new opportunity. New year’s resolutions.
Typically, at the end of the year, we look back on the past year to see how we failed and resolve to do better in the new year, hence new year’s resolutions. I’m choosing a different approach. I'm looking back on the last year to see what I can learn from it, how I can grow from it, and how I can love the journey for the new year.

2020 and 2021 were really hard years. I think we all felt mental and emotional exhaustion as we began 2022. If you are like me, you were hopeful, but apprehensive in January 2022.

As we end 2022, I know that it has been an extremely challenging year. Thankfully, our kids came back to school on a normal schedule; unfortunately, we’ve experienced learning loss, behavioral challenges, and mental health issues with our students being in online learning and hybrid schedules for two years due to the pandemic.

Max Lucado said, “There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror.” So join me in looking through the windshield.

In the rearview mirror, our kids experienced learning loss due to the pandemic. In the windshield, our teachers have worked very hard to accelerate learning in 2022. 

In the rearview mirror, our kids are displaying challenging behavior and mental health distress. In the windshield we are seeking partnerships to support students behaviorally, socially, and emotionally.

In the rearview mirror, parents were frustrated. In the windshield, we are communicating with parents with excellent data and viewing them as partners.

I hope each of you will look at your rearview mirror, not as failures, but as what have you learned from it, how you can grow from it, and how can you love the journey ahead for 2023.

I’d love to hear about your rearview mirror challenges and your windshield opportunities for the new year.