What Meeting People Teaches Us: Stepping Up

Over the past year, due to the nature of my work, I have had the opportunity to meet many people at research meetings related to education.

These include reunions with people I am already close to, as well as new connections I have made.

Each encounter offers a different lesson.

In reunions, I feel the weight of the time we have walked together.

It makes me happy to see them after a long time and be able to report to each other, 'The initiative we talked about back then has turned out like this now.'

When I feel that our practices and ways of thinking are slightly different, or that they have evolved since last year, I am reminded once again that education is a process that continues while changing.

On the other hand,
new encounters bring stimulation and discovery.

Every time I hear about how they face their students and innovate their classes on a daily basis, I realize that there is more I can do myself.

Their words, enthusiasm, and episodes from their classes and classrooms help me check the state of the passion within me.

When you are in the field of education, your mind is full of the students and classes right in front of you, but these encounters with people outside of school broaden my perspective and help me settle my mind.

The time spent being encouraged by someone's practice or sharing worries becomes the greatest learning and joy for me.

People change through encounters, and the education created from there also becomes richer.

Looking back on this year, I feel that such 'connections with people' are what have nurtured my view of education.

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Thank you for your time.

The comments I receive from everyone are a great source of encouragement and learning.