The Truth About Being Remarkable (And Why You Already Are)

By Adelaide Jones M.Ed.

I recently gave a speech at our mentor celebration night. I was nervous, not because I didn’t have something to say, but because it felt vulnerable to say it out loud. To be seen as a mentor, and to speak from that lens, felt big.

But here’s what I’ve realized: mentorship isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being brave enough to walk alongside someone while they find their own.

The theme of the night was "Remarkable You."And to be honest, I wish someone had said this to me in my first year of teaching:

The way you’re feeling? It’s normal. The doubt, the exhaustion, the joy that sneaks up on you — it’s all part of the process. Good teaching is about learning to ride the waves of it all without losing yourself in the tide.

As an inclusion specialist, I’ve learned to look at everything through an individualized lens. That includes how we show up as teachers. There’s no “one way” to be great at this job. There’s only your way, rooted in your strengths, your voice, and your fire.

I see that fire in the teachers I mentor, especially one in particular who teaches environmental science. She brings the real world into her classroom in a way that inspires me, with soil samples from national parks, climate data, and thoughtful conversations about current events. She’s not just teaching science....she’s shaping stewards of the Earth.

But what’s even more remarkable? She’s learning when not to pour out her energy. She drafts her angriest emails with me now before deciding whether to send them (one of the quiet joys of mentorship, truly). She’s learning that discernment is just as important as passion. That’s growth.

I used to think the way I felt during my early years, overwhelmed, unsure, emotional, meant I was falling behind. But the truth is: I was right on time. We all are. There’s a rhythm to this work. Some days will feel magical. Others will feel impossible. The trick is not to mistake the hard days for failure. They’re part of it.

If you’re a new teacher and you feel like you’re barely keeping up, hear me when I say:You’re not behind. You’re in process. Making mistakes isn’t failure... it’s the foundation of learning.

And you have to take care of yourself. Because here’s the truth:A burned-out teacher is not a better teacher. Burning out doesn’t prove your dedication, it dims your impact.

I’ve had to learn this lesson in small, personal ways. One of my favorite rituals? My “car lunch.” I sit in my car, eat something simple, and watch an episode of The Office. It sounds silly, but it brings me back to myself. It reminds me that joy matters. That rest matters. That I’m not just a teacher- I’m a whole human.

We don’t just teach content. We model possibility. We show students what it looks like to keep showing up. To love learning. To try again. To be our full, remarkable selves- even when it’s hard.

So to every new teacher, mentor, or educator reading this: You don’t have to earn the title of “remarkable.”You already are.

Simply by showing up with your full heart, your curiosity, and your care, you are shaping the future.

My hope for you? Be kind to yourself. Even when it feels like it’s not working, trust that it probably is.

You’re not here to fit into a mold. You’re here to break it, rebuild it, and leave something better behind for the next generation.

That’s what makes you remarkable.