Sharing the stage: a message to teacher candidates and my cohort

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Recently, I received the "Exemplary Leadership Award" at the University Honors spring banquet. As I walked across the banquet stage, I felt immense pride and joy for representing the education department at my university. On that note, I want to share the stage briefly in this post for my fellow teacher candidates and my inspiring Unified Early Childhood Studies cohort.
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To be frank, it is so flipping-pancakes (I don't know if I can say the real thing here, so I'll just be creative) hard to be an education student and complete an honors program at my university. The vast requirements regarding research, additional courses, and volunteer and outside leadership experience were almost impossible to complete while balancing a 19-credit course load and 100 hours of field experience.

It is a privilege to graduate with honors -- to dedicate hundreds of hours to outside community engagement and unpaid opportunities. Not everyone has this privilege, and often, it is the most deserving, hardworking folks that do not receive this recognition. So, I want to recognize my fellow teacher candidates and cohort: some of the strongest leaders, brightest researchers, and loudest advocates for a liberal arts education.

Each of them deserves to be recognized for the hundreds of hours they commit to the classroom while balancing heavy coursework, building connections within and outside their teaching programs, and committing to outside jobs. They embody and exemplify leadership through their daily actions and presence on campus. The teacher candidates in A-LAB (Anti-Racist Literacy Advisory Board), for example, model strength and partnership as they restructure a university's children's book collection.

To my fellow teacher candidates, thank you for all of the work you do. You are inspiring leaders and activists for your profession, your students, and yourselves. It takes so much time and energy to constantly show up for yourself and represent your profession and field. 
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A special shoutout

With that being said, a special shoutout to the UECH  (Unified Early Childhood Studies) 2023 cohort. Grace, Lexi, Wyatt, Hope, Garrett, Sydney, Lishell, Jane, and Lauren, I couldn't have made it this far without you. In classes, field experience, and travel, I found teammates, school family, and new friends.

From the first Block classes, we supported each other through thick and thin. We leaned on each other during lesson planning (I still miss our Sunday Caribou meetings). Together, we spoke up for mental health and modifications to course material. Individually, we represented the early childhood field; we took up space in blended courses and school placements. 

I feel so proud to walk amongst you at graduation. You persevered. You set boundaries. You taught and led in classrooms of the youngest learners. You constantly inspire me to be the best teacher and person I can be. Each of you brings unique character, style, and interests to the classroom, but you all contribute heart, grit, and knowledge. 

I will miss our partnership, evenings at the Tavern, and yes, even a few of the group projects. I hope that as we forge our paths, our fierce community remains. You deserve support and utmost respect, so please don't settle for anything less. Pursue your needs and dreams; refrain from fulfilling others' expectations of what "teaching" looks like.

Congratulations! I know your futures are bright, wherever you end up. I am grateful to have shared this journey with you. Ok, I am going to stop now before I start crying.

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I will end this soapy "thank you" by saying this: let's promise to say "see you later" rather than "goodbye." Because we'll always have questions and goofy stories to share. Love you all!

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