https://www.sonomanews.com/article/lifestyle/how-to-best-grow-veggies-from-seeds-and-starts-in-your-garden/
You start with cultivating the soil and adding beautiful and rich fertilizer, much like creating the relationship with each student; creating trust, showing compassion and empathy, letting the students know that they can have a fresh start and be themselves.
You then decide what seeds you will sew, often choosing by preference to the type of flower or vegetable that you like the most or by its hardiness and strength in certain conditions. Sometimes you choose what to sew based on availability. When you are “sewing seeds” in teaching you do this as well. You often share ideas of your passions and try and provide opportunities that you hope will inspire, give strength and capacity to your students. Sometimes the availability of information is limited but you try and give access to as much as you can and search other sources to give the best information that you can.
You then water your seeds along the way and provide access to sunlight and nutrients and sometimes structural support,which encourage growth, strong root systems and the best yield possible. As a teacher you continue to nurture each individual and encourage their strengths to come through. You give support where its needed, continue to pour knowledge opportunities and inspirations so that each student becomes their best self.
As your garden grows, sometimes you have to re-evaluate the conditions and determine what can be done better to encourage the best growth and the most vibrant flowers that can withstand the conditions of nature. As a teacher, you will constantly be reflecting and re-evaluating your approach, your methods, your attitude, and your relationships, as every individual is unique and will require a different approach and different conditions. Some students will require more support and some will require very few instructions and ideas. Some students will be strong in one topic while another struggles with it. Every situation will be different and continuous evaluation and reflection will be the key to a successful teaching experience.
Finally, once you have given it your best, you enjoy the amazing yield! It nourishes your body and soul. Whether its a beautiful flower garden or delicious and nutritious vegetables all winter long, you appreciate all of the hard work and give thanks for the outcome. You also reflect on what you could do differently to improve your results and appreciate what you did well. In teaching, each student will be different. You will do your best and sometimes feel defeated. Other times you will feel on top of the world because you have been a part of a life journey with someone who thrives from their interaction with you. Here is another opportunity to reflect, grow, learn, and become a better teacher, learner and self.