My one word for 2017 was ‘discover.’ One of my final discoveries of the year was my one word for the year ahead. My one word for 2018 is ‘reach.’

Why reach as my one word?

I will aim to reach my goals for the year.

I will aim to reach that one student who hasn’t been reached just yet.

I will aim to reach that one teacher who is feeling disconnected.

I will reach to apply new ideas in the classroom and remix old ideas that worked well in hopes that they have more effective reach in the classroom and beyond.

I will not overextend my reach. I will be mindful of balance and being the best version of me so that I can give my very best all the time.

I will continue to reach out of my comfort zone.

I will reach out to my family, colleagues, and PLF for support when needed.

I will reach new destinations along my journey. Just as my one word this past year allowed me to ‘discover’ so much that was unplanned or unexpected, I plan to reach new places, new ideas, and most importantly new people along my learning and teaching journey.

I will aim to reach those I already have built relationships with in deeper ways.

On a somewhat related note, shortly after landing on this word, my hometown Buffalo Bills have reached the playoffs for the first time in 17 years ending the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports history. Now that they’re in they have the chance to reach the Super Bowl. Memories of the early 1990s are flooding back. Go Bills!

I hope this post will reach you and inspire you to select your one word in 2018 if you haven’t already.

Here’s to REACH in 2018.