The Smile in Your Voice

It was two months ago that I was, as Casey likes to tell people, "promoted against my will". (That story will also be told, but it is a story of epic proportions.) Not that I received any monetary gain, after all, I do work in the public school system. I have, however, shifted into a higher profile position where I work closely with administrators and teachers from throughout the district. This paradigm shift has me observing education, and educators, through a new set of lenses. 

I retired my rose colored glasses. It was time to adjust the prescription, and I am finding myself pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the upgrade. It seems as though my years spent developing a firm foundation as "teacher", grounded in passion, conviction, and proven success with children, have now given me the courage to come out from behind the protective coating of my old shades. 

I was afraid. If I stepped into this new line of vision, could I still make a difference? Would I still be able to facilitate connections, inspiration, laughter, tears, community, trust, and caring? If no longer in "my" classroom, would I still be able to have the same impact on children, parents, and teachers? I am stepping into the answer to those questions. Circumstances can change, but the foundation from which I operate will remain constant.

I am adjusting to my new spectacles. They are still not quite as comfortable as the old ones, but new frames and lenses can bring clarity. Just last night, a new colleague phoned to talk through a challenging situation she is facing. As the conversation was coming to an end she said, "Janice, do you know one of the things I love about you? Whenever anyone talks to you, there is always a smile in your voice. It doesn't matter whether you are in the midst of light, or difficult, circumstances, your voice points to hope."

Children have always understood smiles and hope. With God's grace, may others continue to "hear" the smile in a voice, and "see" through lenses of hope.