I’ve always been mesmerized by A Christmas Carol.  Since I was a child, I’ve read the story countless times and continue to find new connections to my pesonal and professional life.  I love how Dickens vividly drives home the themes of change and redemption using the messages of the three ghosts.  These timeless lessons can certainly be applied to the field of education in three main ways:

Lesson 1:

Beware the Ghost of Christmas Past Practices!

Don’t let “We’ve always done it this way” thinking turn you into a Scrooge.#edchat #satchat pic.twitter.com/beKAF1JnsH

— Lee Araoz (@LeeAraoz) December 10, 2016

Lesson 2:

Beware the Ghost of Christmas Present! Don’t get complacent with your teaching and/or leadership. Push yourself to DO MORE!#edchat #satchat pic.twitter.com/3zJ7Ey6a6x

— Lee Araoz (@LeeAraoz) December 10, 2016

Lesson 3:

Learn from the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come! It’s never too late to create change in your classroom. #edchat #satchat #satchatwc pic.twitter.com/9bPOAMotx6

— Lee Araoz (@LeeAraoz) December 10, 2016

The ability to continually monitor and adjust one’s thinking is a characteristic I strive to instill in my students.  Teachers can learn valuable messages from each of Dickens’ Christmas ghosts which can in turn be shared with their students.  We must always be aware of the lessons from the past and the present as we make an effort to grow personally and professionally in order to optimize future learning experiences for ourselves and our charges.

I believe it’s important to avoid complacency at all costs!

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