Embracing Impermanence: A Reflection for Educators and School Counsellors
Every educator and school counsellor knows that change is the only constant in a school. Students arrive, grow, and move on. Classrooms transform, curriculums evolve, and our approaches adapt. Thich Nhat Hanh's insight cuts to the heart of our work: "It's not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not."
In practical terms, this means accepting that no single moment defines a student's journey. The struggling learner today might become tomorrow's breakthrough success. The quiet student might suddenly find their voice. The challenging class might turn into the most memorable learning experience. Our work is about managing and supporting these transitions. We're not just delivering curriculum; we're helping young people navigate constant change. This requires a pragmatic mindset of flexibility, resilience, and open-mindedness.
Consider the daily reality of school life. Morning assemblies buzz with energy. Lesson plans shift based on student engagement. Support strategies are constantly refined. Each interaction is an opportunity to understand that growth isn't linear—it's messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal.
Pema Chodron captures this beautifully: "We can continue to resist reality, or we can learn to frame things in a new way, seeing our life as dynamic and vibrant, an amazing adventure." For educators and school counsellors, this means seeing challenges as opportunities, not obstacles.
Some days are intense. We support students through complex personal situations—family challenges, mental health struggles, academic pressures. Other days bring pure joy—breakthrough moments, unexpected achievements, genuine connections. Both are equally valid parts of the educational experience.
Practically speaking, embracing impermanence helps us:
Stay flexible in our teaching approaches
Avoid getting stuck in rigid expectations
Recognise that a single moment doesn't define a student's potential
Maintain emotional balance during challenging times
Celebrate progress in all its varied forms
This doesn't mean emotional detachment. Instead, it's about creating sustainable emotional boundaries. We invest deeply in our students' growth while understanding that our role is to support, not to control their journey. Technology, learning methods, and educational priorities continuously change. What worked five years ago might not be effective today. The most successful educators remain curious, adaptable, and willing to learn. We model lifelong learning for our students.
Professional development becomes an exercise in embracing impermanence. We update our skills, learn new technologies, understand emerging student needs, enhance our own psychological flexibility. Our toolkit is never complete—it's always expanding.
Student relationships exemplify this dynamic. We form meaningful connections knowing that these are temporary. A year's mentorship, a moment of guidance, a supportive conversation—these interactions shape futures without requiring permanent attachment. The emotional landscape of education is complex. We support students through personal challenges, and witness incredible transformations. Our work requires emotional intelligence, patience, and a deep understanding that change is natural and necessary.
Impermanence doesn't diminish the importance of our work. If anything, it highlights the profound impact of genuine, present-moment connections. For us, this perspective is both a professional strategy and a personal philosophy. We learn to find stability not in unchanging circumstances, but in our ability to adapt, support, and remain compassionate.
Embracing impermanence means letting go of perfect outcomes. We support, guide, and believe in our students, understanding that their paths are their own. Success looks different for everyone, and our job is to help them discover and pursue their version of it.
My theme for 2025 is to embrace impermanence. Will you join me?