For some reason, the growth paradox has always interested me. Things take a lot longer than we think they will, and then they happen so fast that we are caught off guard. Growth comes on slowly at first, then quickly.
When I think about my own journey as an English teacher, I can see how true this has been. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen in a straight line and is a path that has no end. When I first started teaching, things moved way too slowly. Everything that I did in the classroom, every lesson plan, and every attempt to connect with students from other countries felt like a small step on a long, long journey.
But then, out of the blue, things started to make sense. My teaching methods started to work better with my kids, and I was able to quickly and effectively adjust to new classroom settings. All of those small steps, doubtful moments, and changes I made along the way all came together at once to make a wave of growth I didn’t see coming.
Sometimes it hurts to grow as a teacher because it seems like we’re not making any progress. But the truth is that all of our hard work, late nights spent planning lessons, and problems we face in our new classrooms are all part of a bigger plan. We need to know that every step, no matter how small, is important for our trip.
Remember that growth usually takes a long time if you feel stuck or don’t understand why things aren’t going faster. Trust that your hard work will pay off in ways you may not see yet. Keep going and changing things. Because growth comes faster than you thought possible when it does.
Written by: Dr. Henry Fadl