Uplifting experiences in school inspire and energize.
Uplifting experiences include enthusiasm, commitment, dedication, care, and interest. When invested educators get together to create and serve students well with similar drive and mission, that's uplifting too.
On the other hand, those times you feel like a robot, a chess piece, or a cog are not uplifting. I believe that schools too often provide experiences that are un-inspiring and even demeaning at times.
I truly believe that greater choice, voice, collaboration, and distributive leadership have the chance to make schools more uplifting than off-putting.
I want to think about this as I teach my students too--how will I uplift as much as possible as I know that's what energizes learning.