The Story Behind the Logo
I’m linking up with Jenny to share the story behind my A Teachable Teacher logo. I was so excited to see this link up because I’ve always wondered about such stories.
Here’s mine…
In 2011, I was an intervention teacher and had been creating my own teaching resources. My instruction was very targeted, but my groups ranged from K-6th grade. I was a new teacher and didn’t have my own “library” yet, so I would create resources as I lesson planned. My mom (also a teacher) had discovered TPT and told me that I should share my work. I was convinced that nobody would purchase my resources, especially since I was a new teacher.
As time went on, I began to pursue my master’s degree in education.
I absolutely loved the program and felt like I was so learning so much! They required us to reflect greatly on our teaching. Between teaching during the day, and continuing my education at night, my confidence in the profession began to grow. The thought of sharing my products on TPT wasn’t as intimidating anymore. I “experimented” by posting a few of my intervention resources, which to do this day are still my bestsellers.
At the end of the program, my professors asked me to address my peers at the hooding ceremony. While speaking in front of kids all day doesn’t bother me, the thought of address my peers was a bit nerve-wracking. I thought about how to share everything I learned and encourage my peers and friends in just a few, short, hopefully-not-boring minutes.
My family came to support me. My grandparents even flew in from Tennessee!
For weeks I began to ponder about the most important thing I learned in the program. While I learned so much about technology in the classroom, common core, and teaching reading, I realized that the best quality a teacher could obtain is to be teachable. Times change, students change, administration and standards change. The way to be a good teacher is to be teachable, to be willing to grow and adjust and learn.
Here’s a little excerpt if you’re interested!
“As educators we entered this Masters program in a “teachable state”. We knew that there was a lot of work to be
done and we were ready to put forth the effort it required to improve ourselves
as educators. We have learned the history of American education. We have examined education through a global
lens and through a Biblical lens. We have studied and debated educational
philosophies and developed our own. We have deciphered lesson models, and we
have practiced effective integration of technology into our classroom. We have written project proposals and conducted
many presentations. We have studied the
current issues and trends in education. We
have researched and applied the best professional practices. We have debated and collaborated, swapped
ideas and shared stories. All of these actions have contributed into molding us
as education leaders, and although our program has ended, our original
mentality must remain. If there is one thing we
learned from this program, it is that we can always improve, we can always
progress, and we can always grow more.
The attitude of true leaders and true educators is driven by the belief that it
is always possible to learn more and do better. If we continue with this
attitude, not only will it benefit us, it will benefit our colleagues, our
students, and education as whole. While
we have the right to feel accomplished tonight, and definitely have a reason to
celebrate, this is not the end.
done and we were ready to put forth the effort it required to improve ourselves
as educators. We have learned the history of American education. We have examined education through a global
lens and through a Biblical lens. We have studied and debated educational
philosophies and developed our own. We have deciphered lesson models, and we
have practiced effective integration of technology into our classroom. We have written project proposals and conducted
many presentations. We have studied the
current issues and trends in education. We
have researched and applied the best professional practices. We have debated and collaborated, swapped
ideas and shared stories. All of these actions have contributed into molding us
as education leaders, and although our program has ended, our original
mentality must remain. If there is one thing we
learned from this program, it is that we can always improve, we can always
progress, and we can always grow more.
The attitude of true leaders and true educators is driven by the belief that it
is always possible to learn more and do better. If we continue with this
attitude, not only will it benefit us, it will benefit our colleagues, our
students, and education as whole. While
we have the right to feel accomplished tonight, and definitely have a reason to
celebrate, this is not the end.
It is only with that attitude that I truly believe we can be masters of education.”
Around the same time, I started a blog design with Kassie.
I knew that I no longer wanted to use my name, but the name A Teachable Teacher. Thus, my blog design & business logo was born! Although it was the end of my program, it was just the beginning of my business. Whether I am teaching or creating, I keep pushing myself to do and be my best. I change, edit, improve, rework, reteach, read. I try remain teachable, so I can be the best teacher, creator, and author I can possible be.
Thanks for reading!
Head on over to Jenny’s blog to find more “Behind the Logo” stories. Feel free to add your own, too. I can’t wait to read about it!
That's a great story… I just finished my Master's as well, and even though I am glad to be done I loved every minute of it! Thanks for sharing.
karen
Smarticle Particles
You're totally on to something, Lauren. A good teacher is a teachable one! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren,
My motto has always been that I am a work in progress, which goes perfectly with The Teachable Teacher. Your logo is not only cute, but very meaningful. I love it! Congrats on your Masters! I look forward to visiting your blog in the future!
Diane
I love this post 🙂 I recently found your blog, pinterest, TPT store, and Instagram…your newest fan all over!! I will definitely be linking up with this post! Agreed 10x over with your post!
What a great story—and a great name–and a great logo! You've got it all going on in just the right way. Thank you for sharing such a great story and for linking up. I enjoyed reading your story.
I love this story! I can't believe you spoke in front of your graduating class! You're amazing 🙂 What a great speech!
Loved reading this post Lauren. So excited to witness your journey!
Kristen
Hi Lauren! I love your speech and story! You are right on about the importance of being teachable and learning to be even better each day. We can all learn from each other and it's our students who are the one to benefit. 🙂
Heather from Mrs. Renz’ Fourth Grade Class
Here, here! Lauren, this is a great post. I love connecting these stories with the logos, they become so much more memorable to me. I attended a leadership camp that focused on servant leadership and the saying, "Always remain teachable," has stuck with me ever since.
Lisa from Created for Learning
Lauren, what a great and inspiring story!!!
I've always loved the name of your business, because your right! A teacher is always teachable all for the benefit of our students. That is amazing you spoke in front of your graduating class! Congratulations on your Masters! =)
Lawren
Teaching is a Royal Adventure
What a wonderful post! I loved reading about your journey!!
You're absolutely on to something, Lauren. A decent educator is an open to instruction one! A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing! homework essay writing
I wanted to be sure you saw that your story was featured on the recent TPT blog post about this link up 🙂 http://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/whats-behind-that-profile-pic/
Thank you Jenny! I’m so glad TpT found your genius link up idea! =)
Lauren