What do you do as an educator that can't be measured?

As I was reading this, I could hear Victoria's voice and laughter through her text. What an amazing read! 

The question is: What do you do as an educator that can't be measured? This is a great question to ask an educator; it prompts you to think.  Teaching isn't always about the measurable outcomes, grades, numbers, and or statistics. The immeasurable outcomes that come with teaching, such as radical care, compassion, and love. 

This is such a poetic research; teaching involves amazing stories through art.

After reading this article, I realized that most of the things I do can't be measured, whether in my personal life or work life. 

In my free time, I volunteer my time teaching Latin dance to young humans, starting at age 4 years old all the way to 18. We usually practice dance once or twice a week. I go in, and we rehearse the same dance for each performance. I always saw myself as just their dance teacher, just another adult educating them on a new skill. Most of the girls in the group are fairly new and have never danced before and especially in front of a large audience. I have noticed the amount of confidence, independence, and professionalism they have built. I remember that for one of the performances, audience members would say 'Good job' as they exited the stage. I overheard someone say they are very polite and disciplined. I was nearly shocked because I have always reminded them that they are sharing a gift to the world and should forever be grateful. With each performance, I can see their faces light up and fill with joy to share their Latin culture with others. 

Not so in my free time, I am a college advisor at a high school. In this role, I have gained so much insight about how adults view young adults and how young adults are not valued in some of their educational spaces. I can mostly relate to some of my students when they share their educational journey. Teachers and the school system really set the bar high for them and judge them by their grades. When students sit in my chair, tell me what they want to be in the future, and say, “ I don't think I will ever become that because my grades are not good enough, which means I am not good enough.” I say, why not? You never know if you do not try. I share my high school story, I was not the honor roll kid, and I tell them about my college experience. But the bad parts of my educational journey did not stop me from getting to where I am today. If my grades mattered in life, I would not be receiving my second master's. I assure my students that nothing is impossible. I remind them that knowing more than one language is a superpower, and having immigrant parents represents courage. I provide snacks and water for my students. I make sure they are fed and hydrated to have a successful learning day. I also show radical care through showing up to their athletic games, seeing their face light up, and hearing Miss you came to support us brings me joy. 

An additional story, I did my teaching practicum at the high school where I work for my TESOL program. The class was an MLL classroom. Most of the students spoke Spanish in the classroom, the teacher predominantly spoke English, and didn't have much to relate to the students. I remember I was teaching a lesson on Romeo and Juliet, and some students struggled with the text and instructions. I related the text to something they knew in the Spanish pop culture. I saw their frustration in their face, some saying they wished they didn't know Spanish. I reassure them that their hard work will officially pay off. I can relate. I remember at the end of my term, one of the students approached me and said they hoped I would become a teacher because they needed more Spanish-speaking teachers in MLL classrooms.