So The Worthy Educator is launched and we are thrilled with the outpouring of response! Mid-to-late career educators, this community is for you! We are grateful for your interest and support.

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But why “worthy”? Of all the possible ways to brand this new grassroots movement, how did we come up with that? Doesn’t it smack of judgement? Who decides who’s “worthy” anyhow? Or maybe it oozes entitlement. Who are we to announce we are “worthy”?

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Don’t overthink it. Our full logo gets straight to the point: all educators are worthy. Isn’t it about time somebody said so? So much of society is down on education these days. Who better to lift us up and elevate our status than we ourselves?

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When you know you are worthy, you have the inner confidence to stand firmly for what you believe. You don’t apologize for who you are. You can lead the way without looking behind you. You can rely on the support of others who share your passion and conviction and dreams. When you know you are worthy, so many doubts and questions and fears no longer matter.

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We need to know we are worthy to do this important work. And it’s not something we do alone. Being worthy lifts you up, not only in your own mind, but among your peers.  Worthiness connotes belonging. It’s an inclusive experience. We are each worthy; we are all worthy.

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Education is an important calling. It’s hard. It’s rewarding. It can be lonely and relentless. We need everything we can muster to meet the challenge. The reminder and recognition that we are deserving of the respect and regard of those we serve makes a difference, but it means even more when the caring and support comes from one another. There’s nothing like knowing that we are held in high regard by our colleagues.

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For these reasons, we roll out The Worthy Educator as a home for mid-to-late career educators. As we grow this new community, everything we do conveys the message that all of us belong, all of us are deserving. Share the power of looking each other in the eye and knowing we have one another’s respect and that we have one another’s back. This is the aspiration of this movement; that educators intentionally lift each other up and honor one another with these simple, powerful words: “You are worthy. You belong”!

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You belong here!