This is a picture of our pumpkin plant. Every year my family and I try to grow some type of squash. And every year, our plants get hit with powdery mildew. This disease is represented in the asymmetrical white spots on the leaf in the middle. I try to keep it at bay by pruning off the leaves with obvious signs of powdery mildew, in hope that this sacrifice will give new leaves time to grow with less chance of being afflicted.
This cycle of pruning and growing very much reminds me of what it means to be a professional. I am constantly assessing which teaching and learning practices I should either prune or foster growth in. I do this by constantly reading, connecting with others, and taking time to reflect. I also do this by getting away from it all. Having diverse and enriching life experiences helps make me a better educator. I can make connections like this to create awareness in my own practice.