Page 4 - The EDGE Winter 2022

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

BY KARLA WALTER
Life As It Is – Choosing Your Path

Karla Walter

Welcome to 2022!! I hope you all had a great holiday season and are optimistic about a
better new year. Although it seems that we are facing another year full of challenges and
uncertainties, we need to continue to have a positive mindset, renewed energy and be ready
to do the good work that you all do daily for the benefit of Arizona’s school children.

In our profession, I feel it is important to always focus on the end result always, which is the
academic success and safety of our students. I have the opportunity and privilege to regularly
visit schools and classrooms, which keeps me grounded and allow me to better understand the
needs of our students and staff.

A few weeks ago, I went to Greenfield School in the Roosevelt School District to hear students
recite poems they had written. Some were very heartbreaking as they wrote about social justice
and bullying while others wrote about how they have been dealing throughout the pandemic.
I was amazed to hear these young students’ thoughts and realize the level of maturity and
sensibility they carry in their minds. One of the poems written by an 8th grader struck me as
it really made me think about life and the choices we make. I would like to share this:

Life As It Is
By Gabrielle Aranda

Life to me is like a series of paths,

When one path ends
You will have the time to spend on deciding
which way will be the next destination.

Although it may be hard and the energy
will rise, one will receive the motivation to
travel closer to the grand prize,
They will start to feel the irritation transform

into relaxation and manifestation
No longer deprivation.

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4 THE EDGE WINTER 2022