Graduation…it’s a joyful day. A day long awaited for. From the day you all stepped on campus as freshmen to this day when you had the privilege of walking across the stage with a heart full of joy as you received your diploma. 👨🏼‍🎓👩🏼‍🎓🎓

While I was driving to campus this morning to celebrate with you, I heard a song on the radio by Jonny Diaz called Joy. It is a song that gives you happy feet so if you would like to do a little dancing on your graduation day, check it out: 🎶

While I listened to Jonny sing the words, I realized how much they apply to your graduation today, and how much the words apply to when you begin your journey into the wonderful world of teaching this fall:

Have joy down in your soul

Take it with you wherever you go!

Don’t worry about what you don’t know

You’ll be alright as long as you’ve got joy!

 

Joy in your heart, waving like a torch

In the jet black night, you’ll see the stars.

 

Let joy be your strength

Let it be your truth, and see you through!

Let it be your hope, be your shield

Let it lift you up, no matter how you feel.

You’ll be alright as long as you’ve got joy. ~ Jonny Diaz

Some days will be hard during your first year of teaching…really, really hard. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. KNOW you are champions for children. Be joyful with those children. They deserve it! Keep choosing joy every single day.

To our ‘former’ students and now our teaching colleagues…congratulations, SMSU School of Education graduates! 🙌 (Sorry about all the pics of me… 😉🤷‍♀️. Email me some and I’ll add to the slideshow! 👍).

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Stay Calm & Be Joyful Graduates!
Profs Dr. Wendy. & Dr. V.