Rise: Leading With Intention in Today’s Kindergarten Classroom

Rise: Leading With Intention in Today’s Kindergarten Classroom

Each year, I choose one word—not as a resolution, but as a guide. A word that grounds my work, sharpens my focus, and brings me back to what matters most when the days feel heavy.

This year, my word is rise.

After decades in education—as a classroom teacher, elementary principal, and now once again a kindergarten teacher in an inner-city school—rising has taken on a deeper meaning. It is no longer about titles or advancement. It is about alignment, purpose, and intentional leadership—regardless of role.

Rising Above Negativity

One of the most enduring leadership lessons I carry from my time as a principal is this: the culture of a school is shaped by where adults place their energy. Negativity and gossip, often disguised as venting, quietly erode trust and distract from the work that matters most—serving children.

This year, I made a deliberate commitment to protect my energy and model professionalism. I choose not to engage in conversations that diminish others or pull focus away from growth and solutions.

Recently, a colleague paused in my classroom before the day began and shared some insight,

“I’ve stopped participating in conversations that don’t move us forward. I just don’t have the energy for it anymore. You can't let another person constantly find things wrong, when there are so many things to be grateful for!"  

I responded honestly,

“100%! Protecting our energy is part of protecting our students. They deserve our best.”

That exchange affirmed something I deeply believe rising often looks quiet. It is found in boundaries, intentional choices, and returning our attention to what truly matters.

Rising for Whole-Child Learning

As the author of Educate the Heart, I have long advocated for social-emotional learning as the foundation—not the supplement—of academic success. My experiences as a school leader and classroom teacher have consistently shown that when children feel safe, valued, and emotionally supported, learning follows.

In my kindergarten classroom, rising means:

• Teaching children how to identify and express emotions

• Embedding empathy and reflection into literacy discussions

• Using play as a pathway for problem-solving and collaboration

• Maintaining high academic expectations while honoring developmental readiness

During a planning conversation, a colleague remarked,

“If we don’t get the social-emotional piece right, nothing else sticks.”

My response was immediate:

“That’s because it isn’t an add-on—it is the curriculum.”

This belief guides my work today, just as it did when I led a school community and when I put pen to paper to write Educate the Heart.

Rising as a Daily Practice

Rising is not a single moment or achievement; it is a daily practice. Some days, it looks like thoughtfully designed lessons and intentional reflection. Other days, it looks like flexibility, patience, and grace.

It means choosing optimism grounded in reality.
It means modeling respect, even during challenging moments.
It means staying rooted in purpose amid the pressures of modern education.

When educators rise—through clarity, compassion, and conviction—classrooms rise with them. And when classrooms rise, children are given the space and support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

Reflection for Educators

As you move through the year, consider the following:

• What does rising look like in your current role?

• Which conversations elevate your practice, and which distract from it?

• How are you intentionally protecting your energy to best serve children?

Rising does not require perfection.
It requires intention.

And often, the most powerful way to rise is to remain firmly grounded in what you know is right for children. 

I created a daily reflective guide for educators. If you are also planning to 'rise,' in the new year, and like me, like to write things down, feel free to make a copy and tailor it to your goals.  Find it here.  

Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to read this post. I hope you found it worthwhile and that it inspires you to live intentionally in the new year.  

Best,

Jennifer