Time for Personal Goals: A Teacher’s Journey After 24 Years

For nearly 24 years, my life as a Visual Arts educator has revolved around my students. Whether it's guiding them toward higher education or helping them discover their creative potential, my focus has always been on their progress and success. I have strived to ensure that my students excel in their chosen paths, crafting their futures in art or beyond. But as I reflect on these two decades, I realize how much of my energy has been directed outward—toward the students, the school, the curriculum.

As teachers, we tend to live for the success of others. Our goals are often set for the sake of our students' academic achievements or their acceptance into prestigious universities. We think about their grades, their careers, and how we can best prepare them for the world beyond our classrooms. This dedication is the core of our profession and one that brings us immense satisfaction.

However, after years of focusing on these external objectives, I find myself at a crossroads, asking a vital question: What about my own goals? Have I taken the time to envision my personal path in this lifelong journey of teaching? Like many, I have always been so engrossed in planning for my students that I haven’t reflected much on my aspirations beyond the classroom walls.

As I approach the 25-year milestone, it feels like the right time to re-evaluate. It's time to look inward and ask myself: What do I want to achieve personally? Teaching will always be a passion, but what other passions or dreams have I sidelined in favor of my role as an educator?

Perhaps this is the time to pursue creative projects of my own, to experiment with new artistic styles or techniques that I haven’t had the chance to explore fully. Or maybe it's time to plan for a new level of professional growth—such as writing a book on art education or holding own art exhibition.

This moment of reflection isn’t just about achieving more—it’s about reconnecting with my own creative journey. While my role as a teacher will always be a priority, this new chapter will allow me to strike a balance between helping my students and nurturing my own ambitions.