Lesson 1: Self-image and Self-worth
Prior to ELA this year, I thought that self-image and self-worth were interchangeable. I now know that self-image and self-worth, although connected, are not one and the same. Self-image comes from what a person actually does and therefore holds more weight than one's self-worth. Self-worth is an opinion about oneself. My own self-image has helped me to lead a positive life comprised of helping others find success. Being more confident in my own skills and talents will help me strengthen my self-image and allow me to be the confident, caring, compassionate, and understanding person I hope to become.
Lesson 2: Taking the Initiative to Lead
An important skill for any servant leader is to know when to take the initiative to lead and when to let someone else take charge. Whether it is leading a team of people through an important project or leading peers through an activity, it is important to know when to step up and when to empower others by letting them take the lead. I have learned that taking charge immediately is not always the best option since the people who usually have the best ideas are the quiet people who are slow to interject. Hastily taking charge may come across as bossy and destroy the team atmosphere. I tend to take the initiative to lead in the situations in which I am most confident that I can effectively lead, which are situations in which I am most comfortable. I have also learned that taking the initiative to lead does not necessarily mean being the head of a team. I am a firm believer in leading by example, which is a more subtle way of taking the initiative to lead since it may often go unnoticed.
Lesson 3: Connecting with Others
Connecting well with others is a crucial skill for any team member. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so it is the job of each team member to develop better connections to strengthen the chain. In-person interactions are key to developing strong relationships with others. During in-person conversations, I have learned the great importance of truly listening and not just waiting to add my two cents. As I have learned through my experiences as a student and as a teacher, students know immediately when teachers or other adults are not being genuine. Being genuinely present to people allows for respect and trust, without which, a team cannot function.
Lesson 4: Team Building Skills
In addition to connecting with others, there are many other skills that are important to create a strong and successful team. Knowing my own strengths and weaknesses and what I can bring to the team is just as important as knowing my team members and what they can bring to help us succeed. The lessons I have learned in ELA this year have helped me reflect on my experiences in high school and how they have helped me understand important aspects of a successful team. I had the opportunity to participate in knowledge bowl in high school and participate in the state meet. What I found in the teams that made it to state was how specialized team members were. One person's weakness was another person's strength. The teams were successful because they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses and were able to use that knowledge to their advantage. If all of my team members had the same strengths and weaknesses, we would not have gotten as far as we did. As I have learned through my many years of participating on a swim team, it is important to acknowledge individual and team successes. In high school, I did my best to remember the personal records (PRs) of my teammates so I could celebrate with them during meets when they set a new PR. When we would win a meet, we would all celebrate together because of the team effort.
Lesson 5: Personal Reflection
Through my reflections on the lessons I have learned through ELA, I have realized the importance of personal reflection. Personal reflection is what motivates me to be the best teacher I can be. After each lesson I teach or tutoring session I hold, I reflect on what I did well and how I could improve. In this way, personal reflection is key to my own self-growth. A crucial part of self-reflection is to hold myself accountable for what I can control and not dwell on what is out of my control.