My Golden Circle

 At a very young age, children learn to ask why questions. This seems to be a stage that cannot be defined by time. It also feels as if it will never end and that it is the only word parents hear in response to anything is "why?" 

We are ready to eat dinner. Why?

              Oh look, it's raining outside. Why?

                         There is a rainbow in the sky. Why? 

                                       Please stop throwing your toys down the steps. Why?

                                                       Let's use the bathroom before we play outside. Why?

                                                                         

Why?

    Why?    

           Why?

As parents, we become exhausted. Will they ever stop asking why? We hope it is a phase and that they will move on to a new favorite word. Perhaps we become frustrated or feel like they are defying our requests. If we pause and take a deeper look we might consider another perspective. Could they have meaning behind their why? I think so. 

Asking the question why can be a deep and profound way to learn more about the world around them and to find the purpose behind a request or understand a question. When adults ask the question why we don't ever consider it to be exhausting. We engage in a conversation and offer more details or clarification about the situation. 

Simon Sinek has a TED Talk titled How Great Leaders Inspire Action.  In this TED Talk he explains The Golden Circle including: Why? How? What? The image of the Golden Circle below provides a visual of the importance of 'why. The center, the core, is why and how it must be defined in order for people to understand your beliefs. He explains that if you know what to do, you can do it. If you know how to do it you understand the action steps needed to carry out the task. When you know why you are doing something and understand the purpose. You are able to connect emotionally to the task at hand. This is where the "buy in" takes place. 

As an educational leader in my district our Teacher Academy program spent an entire year on defining our why. We defined it for students in the classroom and our why as the district leadership team. The amount of processing and digging it took to narrow it down to s purpose level was amazing. 

I entered the field of teaching knowing exactly What I wanted to do. I wanted to teach parents and children, simple. How I was going to do that also is pretty simple yet a little more in depth. I wanted to do this by building strong relationships, advocating, being present, becoming a leader in our district and supporting the people I connect with. My Why is much more intense. What is my motivation and purpose as a teacher? What do I believe? 

My Why

I will be a strong advocate for ALL students.

  I believe every child can reach 

THEIR 

next best

 INDIVIDUAL

 goal. 

I will build strong healthy relationships 

to support families and create a home school connection. 

I believe 

ALL 

children

 CAN

 and

 WILL

 Learn when they feel 

supported and Loved.

It is my job to find out how 

EVERY 

child learns and meet them where they are.  

I will leave you with this. Is it possible that toddlers brains are wired to ask why? To process through each new experience and figure out the motivation behind our statements or commands? Perhaps it is. Young children's brains are wired to be curious, ask questions and make connections with the environment they live in. Maybe, just maybe, we can embrace their why and allow them to gain insight into our statements. 

I attempted to create an image of my Golden Circle here. I am not yet a master at creating images. However, I will continue to improve this image and reach my next best individual goal in the world of graphic design. ;-)