“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” – Viktor Frankl

I paused over this quote while scrolling through social media the other day. It resonated deeply, especially after a recent event where an acquaintance asked if I felt a sense of relief that the school year was winding down. That question stopped me in my tracks because I realized I haven’t felt that sense of relief in quite some time.

Moving into a formal leadership role has significantly reshaped how I experience the passage of time, with the years feeling quite different from earlier ones. The seasons blend together as I find myself engaged in a continuous cycle of activities—from wrapping up the school year and facilitating hiring processes to planning several summer professional learning experiences, and supporting teachers as they transition into new roles and buildings. It’s a busy schedule that involves coordinating resources and looking ahead to set priorities for the next year, all of which are incredibly important, but at times can feel consuming.

That said, here’s what I’ve come to understand: Leading, learning, and teaching is more than a profession—it’s a calling. It’s a unique chance to recognize and amplify the strengths in others, enabling them to extend these gifts forward and pass the torch to the next generation. It’s about choosing how you react within the ebbs and flows of your journey.

As you navigate your own path, can you use the space between stimulus and response to harness the growth that awaits you? How you choose to respond starts with you. In the New York Times best-selling book, Big Potential by Shawn Achor, he poses the following questions: 

• Are you helping to improve people’s lives with your work, even on the smallest scale? 
• Are you able to connect with people at a deeper level? 
• Do you have an opportunity to brighten someone’s day because of your interactions? 
• Are you helping improve the world, even in a small way? (pg. 111)

Think about it, where in the spaces between all the tasks that pile up can you pause, letting the moments ground and bring you back to your purpose? I’ll share some of mine:

Whether it’s being invited to an endearing kindergarten end-of-year learning celebration, hearing an elementary student confidently and excitedly call out your name in the hallway with a smile, sitting on interview committees where candidates passionately discuss their visions for impacting students, or attending a retirement breakfast celebrating well-respected colleagues with over 80 years of combined service—these moments are significant and bring purpose to the pause, reconnecting us with our calling.

At that breakfast, I thanked one of the retirees for welcoming me into the high school English department and showing me the ropes. “And you, Lauren, you listened,” they remarked. That comment gave me pause. I lifted my head, smiled, and replied, “I did listen, didn’t I?” I’ve done a lot of listening, sometimes choosing not to respond immediately, and pausing with purpose; and I do believe that’s perfectly acceptable. It reminds me of the first department meeting I led, where a teacher anonymously noted in her feedback, “You don’t always have to respond to everything that’s being said, Lauren.” So, I took that to heart and made a conscious decision to listen more. 

Reflecting on the experiences that led me to write this, I realize that through the multitude of tasks, the passage of time, and the blending of seasons, we can strive for progress, not perfection. It’s in the small, meaningful moments that we reconnect with our true calling and purpose. It’s in the space between stimulus and response that we discover our strength and freedom to be the educators we are meant to be. As Shawn Achor asked, Are you helping to improve people’s lives with your work, even on the smallest scale? Often, it can be as simple as listening and choosing to respond with intention and care, even if it’s not always perceived that way by others.

Moving Forward

As we close another school year and prepare for the next, let’s remember Viktor Frankl’s words: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.”

Remember, you are doing your best. Growth often comes not from easy things but through navigating the myriad of responsibilities. May you find that space, choose wisely, pause with purpose, and embrace the growth that comes with each choice. Here’s to finding relief and growth in the pause, as you continue to navigate the complex yet rewarding journey of education.