Relationships Matter: An Educator’s Perspective

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Last Updated on December 11, 2023 by The Smetz Files

My work as an educator centers on relationships. Read more of my perspective on influential work relationships.

A few thoughts as we punctuate the workweek.

I read a tweet a few days ago in which a professor of education shared that a recent graduate felt lonely as a beginning teacher. They missed the connection of their undergraduate cohort and the inherent support provided. That got me thinking about the relationships that have impacted me professionally and how such relationships are necessary to my continued success. 

Currently I work in a hybrid setting for an educational nonprofit, with most of my daily collegial contact occurring in a remote format. Just this week I had multiple opportunities to interact, both remotely, and in person with teammates and colleagues in meaningful ways. As a beginning teacher I needed those essential networks of support to be successful, and even now, as a seasoned educator, the relationships are necessary for my professional fulfillment. 

Relationships matter for a multitude of reasons. Here are a few of the most important aspects to my work. 

Affirmation

Especially in the world of remote work and classroom teachers who don’t have much face time with adults throughout the day, collegial relationships are essential for affirming your work. Sometimes it’s the simple encouragement, ‘Oh, that’s a good idea’ that fuels my motivation to keep working on a project or task that feels daunting. It just feels good to hear that your work or approach is aligned with the team’s greater goals and purpose.

Extension

One of the benefits of professional relationships I have really leaned into recently is extending my expertise and pushing my thinking. At times I can get hyper focused on an idea or way of approaching a problem and I find colleagues who give me pause and push my thinking in new directions helpful. While my professional experience is largely in the public education sector, I find co-workers outside the education world are able to extend my expertise and translate my experiences to other functions. Again, super helpful in my professional and personal development. 

Institutional Knowledge

You don’t know what you don’t know. I find having relationships with longstanding staff members is important to understanding institutional knowledge. While at times intimidating, cultivating relationships with seasoned colleagues can give you great insight into contextual background that forms current decision-making. I have benefitted from great mentors throughout my career and I always appreciated their sharing institutional knowledge to help me understand the greater landscape of our goals. 

Currently I am at a stage in my career where I am mentoring new staff members, both because of my years of experience, but also my longevity with our organization. These relationships continue to fulfill my professional purpose and are meaningful in ways that prompt me to reflect on my practice and listen for new ways of doing my work.

How do you leverage supportive relationships that foster your work?

Read more!