As someone who has experienced moments of powerlessness in my personal life, as well as in my career as an educator, I’m all too familiar with how easy it is to feel helpless. Teachers, in general, are struggling right now. Educators feel they are working in a time of chaos; they are over-worked, overwhelmed, and over-stressed.

Some have lost a lot of their joy.

And what concerns me most is the toll these feelings are taking on them and how it’s affecting their lives, their classrooms, and their students.

But I believe that sometimes it’s out of chaos that solutions cry out. Teachers need to be reminded of their “why” to experience professional growth in education—and they need tools to help them navigate the ever-changing landscape of this profession.

During this keynote, I share the story of a very special student who had a profound impact on my life. Teachers are moved to tears when they hear about this student who faced challenges not just in the classroom, but also at home. I share this story because it drives home how truly important it is for teachers to remember and embrace their “why”—because this student taught me a lot about my own reasons for teaching.

I’m determined to help teachers rediscover their passion for teaching, but more than anything, I want them to reclaim their lives and stand proud on this path they have chosen. I want to empower them, because they are the ones who step in our classrooms 180 days a year and hold great influence on our children.

What they do matters greatly, and the fact that they feel called to teach … well, this is truly a service of the heart.