09/09/2026
September Reminds Us
September is upon us again.
The summer days slipped quietly by,
like clouds gracefully floating across a blue sky.
Summer nights filled with campfires,
music by moonlight,
long conversations,
laughter,
and a little time to breathe…
to reset…
to rejuvenate.
I have always believed that time is a gift.
And because it is a gift,
we have a responsibility to be grateful for the present—
for this moment,
for these people,
for the lives that cross ours.
If the last two years have taught me anything,
it is this:
Every path we cross in life serves a purpose.
A reason.
A season.
Or a lifetime.
Today, as I finally sat quietly in my classroom at the end of the day,
after six hours of new faces, new names, nervous smiles,
questions, laughter, excitement and uncertainty…
I had a moment to simply soak it all in.
And I was humbled.
Because I was reminded that I may be a reason, a season, or a lifetime
to every young person who walks through my classroom door.
This morning, I was greeted by nervous faces—
students beginning a new year,
wondering who I was
and perhaps wondering who they would become.
But as the day unfolded,
so did the reminders.
A handwritten note from a former student.
A poem written by another—
a young person who had once learned that poetry could be a way to express what sometimes cannot be spoken,
and chose to carry that lesson forward.
Smiles.
Hugs.
High fives.
Emails.
Those who had been away for the summer,
returning with stories to tell
and eager to stop by simply to say hello.
Little moments.
But perhaps they aren't so little after all.
As I continue to build The 11th Element Studio,
as I create, teach, dream and build something I deeply believe in,
I am reminded of something even more important:
Teaching is not what I do.
Teaching is who I am.
The studio may be something I am building.
Outside the Lines may be something I am creating.
Art may be something I make.
But the privilege of standing in front of a room full of young people,
watching them discover their voices,
their creativity,
their confidence,
their possibilities…
That is something I will never take for granted.
So as another school year begins,
I hope I can continue to be—
a reason,
a season,
or a lifetime—
for every young person who allows me to be a small part of their journey.
And perhaps,
years from now,
they won't remember every lesson I taught.
But maybe they'll remember how they felt
when they walked through my door.
Seen.
Heard.
Encouraged.
Believed in.
And maybe…
that is the greatest lesson of all. ❤️🎨
September 2026.
A new year.
New faces.
New stories.
And another opportunity to make a difference.
— Tammy
The 11th Element Studio
