Consistency is one of the most important qualities I’ve observed and come to value while here in South Dakota.

Being consistent as a person and teacher applies to everything: discipline in keeping up with plans and systems in the classroom, with expectations for students, with mindsets as a teacher and what the purpose is for teaching. Outside of the classroom, I see how it is necessary to be consistent and intentional in the ways I interact with the community and establish relationships. It is never acceptable to have ‘on’ and ‘off’ days/weeks or be ‘in’ and ‘out’ of things.

Whether it is in my classroom or in my personal life, I’ve come to notice the people who effectively fulfill what they believe their purpose to be and regularly play to their strengths are those who choose to be consistent. Consistency requires established, measurable goals and an adherence to them. In order to be consistent it’s important to participate in responsibilities that are worth your time and energy. It has become clear that consistency is very closely linked to awareness of who you are, what you can do, what you want to do, what you are willing to do and finally, what you have to do.

Consistency, I believe, identifies intentional and purposeful living.

It is consistency that my students deserve.