A friend shared a quote with me the other day:

2022 taught me to stop aspiring to sit at tables where I have to bring my own chair, squeeze in between folks, and repeatedly convince others why I should be there.  I learned to build a new table.

As educators, we sometimes find ourselves among peers and on campuses that keep denying us a seat at the table.  We can choose to keep forcing our way in where we are not wanted, or we can build our own table.  We can leave toxic cultures, or we can stay and build fellowships with like-minded teachers who want to hear our voice, and want to make space for us.

So what do you say, shall we learn to build our own table?