What is #StartWithHeart?
At the heart of my journey, both as a human being and an educator—ranging from my tenure as a Dean of Students at a STEM school to my current role as an ELA teacher—lies a profound realization. My innate ability to forge meaningful relationships with students and families has consistently stood out. This skill has also shone through my duties as a board member at Bonnie Cone Classical Academy in North Carolina. It's a talent that has not gone unnoticed; seasoned educators, district leaders, principals, and fellow teachers often commend my exceptional capacity to connect with individuals on a deeper level.
Despite the praise, for the longest time, I remained modest, merely expressing my gratitude without fully grasping the depth of my approach. It was through teaching that I began to refine this ability—not just in conveying lessons or concepts, but in nurturing significant relationships with students and their families. My reflective practices, both daily and weekly, have been instrumental in this journey, allowing me to understand that to "start with heart" is to see beyond superficial measures.
To start with heart means looking past academic performance, data metrics, appearances, or behaviors to see the individual's essence. It's about recognizing their humanity, their story, and the unique path that has shaped them. This perspective echoes a broader, spiritual understanding I hold dear: that true judgment focuses on the heart, not the deeds.
In cultivating a "heart of harvest," my aim has always been to uplift and understand others genuinely, to delve into the roots of their actions and to appreciate their narratives. This genuine interest and intentional effort to connect is the key, I believe, to breaking down barriers and fostering a space where individuals feel safe to open up. It is this ethos that embodies the #StartWithHeart philosophy—a guiding principle that has not only shaped my approach to education but has also transformed my interactions and relationships with those around me.
Setting The Foundation #Starting With Heart
Continuing from the foundational principle of #StartWithHeart, engaging with intentional questions and genuine interest marks only the initial phase of forging deeper connections. This approach is akin to knocking on a door, signaling your presence and readiness to engage. However, the journey of truly gaining access—to be welcomed by teachers as an administrator, by parents as a teacher, or by students as an educator—requires a step further: the sharing of authentic stories.
The power of vulnerability cannot be overstated. Opening up about personal challenges, doubts, and even moments of failure creates a bridge of empathy and understanding. It's not just about acknowledging where we've faltered but also sharing our journey through those moments—our current state, our unanswered questions, and our unpolished edges. This level of honesty sets me apart from many peers. By approaching every interaction with an open heart and a willingness to be transparent, I've noticed a reciprocal openness from students, parents, and colleagues alike.
This mutual vulnerability leads to a profound exchange—where both parties lay their hearts bare, creating a tableau of shared human experience. It's within this space that true understanding and collaboration can flourish. Rather than hastily sweeping away the mess, we take a moment to observe, understand, and ultimately build a solid foundation from what we've shared. This process isn't just about cleaning up; it's about constructing something new and stronger from the shared fragments of our lives.
Building on the core principles of #StartWithHeart, this concept primarily seeks to affirm the inherent value in each individual. It conveys a powerful message: "You are enough." This affirmation holds true regardless of external markers of success or perceived shortcomings—whether it’s the appearance of being 'a little dirty,' not achieving the desired test scores, or facing challenges within the educational environment. Every educator, leader, and student is enough just as they are. The practice of sharing authentic stories and genuinely empathizing and showing compassion toward one another lays the groundwork for creating strong, effective teams and schools. This environment fosters excellence even in students who have been previously labeled as underperforming.
My ongoing journey as an educator is dedicated to guiding others—teachers, students, and administrators alike—towards embracing their authentic selves. It’s about teaching and encouraging the sharing of real, unvarnished stories and listening to those of others with an open heart. By adopting this approach, we can lay a solid foundation from which exceptional educational outcomes can emerge. This isn’t merely about academic performance; it's about cultivating a community where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to achieve their best. In essence, #StartWithHeart is about leveraging authenticity and empathy to build a more inclusive and effective educational system.