Have you ever stopped to think about the people you surround yourself with? I don’t just mean your friends and family. I’m talking about the colleagues, the other educators, the people you work with day in and day out. It’s something I’ve learned the hard way over the years – the company we keep shapes us more than we realize.

I’ll admit it…I’m a people pleaser. So, I’ve often found myself in situations where I was surrounding myself with people who weren’t necessarily the most uplifting or positive, but I stuck around because I didn’t want to rock the boat. What I didn’t realize, though, was how much that affected me. The more time we spend around negativity, the more it starts to seep into us. It starts to shift our perspective, influence how we approach challenges, and even change the way we see others.

As educators, this is especially true. Our daily interactions and the environment we create are so influenced by the people around us. If we’re consistently surrounded by negative voices in the teacher’s lounge or during planning sessions, we begin to adopt that same mindset. It’s easy to fall into the trap of venting about the struggles of the job, focusing on the things that aren’t working, and losing sight of why we got into this profession in the first place…to make a difference.

It’s not that we can’t acknowledge the difficulties we face, but if that’s all we’re hearing all the time, it can change how we view our work, our students, and even our colleagues. The negativity becomes contagious, and before we know it, we’re contributing to it too. And here’s the kicker: we often don’t even realize it’s happening until it’s too late.

I had to learn this the hard way. Early in my career, I found myself in environments where I felt like I was constantly trying to fit in or please others. I’d be around educators who were quick to complain about everything from administration to curriculum changes. Over time, I realized I had started thinking and speaking the same way. It wasn’t until I made a conscious decision to change the company I kept that I started to feel better about my work and my purpose again.

We can’t change people, but we can change who we spend our time with. It’s crucial for our own well-being and effectiveness as educators to surround ourselves with people who lift us up, challenge us to grow, and share in our passion for making a difference.

It’s not about avoiding difficult conversations or ignoring the challenges we face, it’s about seeking out people who balance those conversations with optimism and solutions. It’s about finding colleagues who inspire us to keep pushing forward and stay focused on the bigger picture.

The company we keep is a reflection of who we are and the values we hold dear. And as we spend time with others, we change too. So choose wisely. Surround yourself with people who not only reflect the best in you but also help you become the best version of yourself.