Passion - and I'm not talking about the fruit...
What are you passionate about?
What are your children passionate about?
What are the children you teach passionate about?
What are your work colleagues/friends passionate about?
Chances are you will have a different answer for all of the above and rightly so. It is important to be passionate, whether that might be about ballet, mathematical equations or food, (everyone loves a great cook...) because it gives you a purpose, a reason to achieve, enjoy and do. It can take a long time to realise your passion, some know from a young age and some are only figuring it out later in life - but that is OK, we are all different.
Personally, children having a childhood, learning through play and being in the natural world is what I am most passionate about (along with a good Netflix TV series and a spot of horse riding...)
I despise conformity and for children to all do and think the same way, which in so many schools they are subject to. I believe wholly in multiple intelligences and that every child has an intelligence whether that be science or creativity - neither is more important than the other, and all children should feel their intelligence/passion is supported. There is nothing worse than that child who is talented at drama but finds maths a minefield, feeling inferior because their intelligences are creativity based and not logically based. Why are the arts seen as less significant in our curriculums than maths, science and english? If we were all good at the same thing then this world would be a dull and monotonous place. All subjects should have equal status.
What I am trying to say is - be passionate, creative and true.
Teach your children to have their own ideas, beliefs and thoughts. Allow them to be different, to not be afraid to speak out or worry that they think differently to someone else. Encourage their aptitudes and passions.
Be that inspirational role model - the one that they remember.
