My Supports

Our assignment this week discusses the importance of supports in your daily life and environment. In order to stay positive and be successful in your career and life, regardless of what you do, where you're from, etc., you need to establish a support system. This support system will encourage you and support you through the ups and downs, good and bad. Your support system can consist of colleagues and coworkers, family and friends, your spouse or special person in your life, etc.

My daily support system consists of loved ones and coworkers. Beginning with my loved ones, my first support would be from my boyfriend, Mike. I have spoken about him on several occasions in this blog. We have been together 7 and 1/2 years and have lived together in our house for almost 4 years. He is my best friend and one of my biggest fans. He knows exactly what to say to help me de-stress and put a smile back on my face. He celebrates my successes with me and helps me get through my lowest lows. He encouraged me to challenge myself and achieve my goals by going back to school, offering to help me as much as possible and pick up the slack around the house to help me not stress too much. We support each other in our careers, encouraging one another, listening to one another share the highs and lows, venting as needed, and giving advice as warranted. He is wonderful and I am lucky to have such a great person in my life.

My immediate family (mom, dad, and brother) are also a huge part of my daily support system. Even if we cannot see each other daily we try our best to stay in contact somehow, even via a simple text message with something funny or words of encouragement. I am thankful to have them in my life and to have parents who have always encouraged me to set high goals and work hard to achieve them.

My fourth grade team is another integral part of my daily support system in the educational field especially. This is my third year in fourth grade and I am so fortunate to work with three other individuals who continue to inspire, encourage, support, challenge, and help me on a daily basis. Carol was my first grade teacher when I attended school at Bellmawr Park and she was moved to fourth grade the same year I was hired full time for fourth grade. She is a wonderful mentor with a wealth of knowledge and experience she is willing to share. I am sad to say she is retiring this year and we will miss her wisdom and laughter greatly! In addition, Renee is the special education in class support teacher who works in the inclusion classroom with Carol. Renee is also a wonderful resource and she is kind, caring, dedicated, and willing to help anyone and learn new things daily. Kyle is the new fourth grade teacher this year. Kyle and I actually grew up together so it is so much fun to have a fellow friend whom I grew up with working with me. I am trying to help him daily as the other teachers have helped me as I know the first year can be extremely challenging. Together we make a great team and stick together to face the challenges each day presents and provide the best classroom environments possible for all our students.

I think there are many benefits to these supports, such as being able to share thoughts and ask questions in an environment in which you are comfortable and will continue to be a lifelong learner. In addition, it is important to not only support one another but be comfortable enough to challenge each other to be the best versions of ourselves possible. By doing so, we are committing to our role as an important person in the life of each child. If I were to lose these supports in my life, I feel as though I would be lost! Each of these people support me and my life in such a way that I have become somewhat dependent on them and vice versa. They are a key part of my day that I look forward to sharing experiences with daily. Without these wonderful supports in my support system, I would not have access to the resources and knowledge I am lucky enough to be around. In addition, I think that my outlook and attitude in many aspects of my life may be altered. Having a support system in every aspect of your life provides you with a completely different outlook on your career, on family, on friendships and love, and on life. Without these supports, I would feel lonely, I would feel more unsure of myself and my thoughts and abilities and be longing for a friend or colleague with whom I could work as a team.

There can be many challenges you may face in life and in terms of supports. A challenge I have faced on many occasions in my life is loss and grief. Losing one of your supports like a loved one can be a major blow to your system. It impacts and effects every aspect of your life, including your career. I have unfortunately experienced loss and grief more often than I would like to say in my 27 years of life. IT has definitely made an impact on me in many ways and posed many challenges. The reason I discuss this challenge is because this year I have a student in my class who also is experiencing this as her younger brother died before starting first grade due to drowning. This happened three years ago but she still has a very difficult time with it. For the first time, this year she is starting to deal with it, open up and break out of her shell. I have related to her in many ways and made it known to her that I have experienced similar loss and understand where she is coming from. I know this can be a challenge anyone can face and at times you can be overcome with sadness, losing motivation for any aspect of your life. If you are to lose a support such as a brother, sister, parent, spouse, etc., it can be life changing and alter your outlook on your career and your life. I am thankful daily that I get to spend time with the wonderful children in my class who can pick me up when I am feeling down. I am blessed.