The Joy of Planting Seeds and Empowering Others to Grow and Lead: An Introduction to the

Blog #1 of 8 — The Joy of Planting Seeds and Empowering Others to Grow and Lead

I’ll be the first to admit—I don’t know much about gardening in the yard. I’m not sure when to plant seeds or how to find the right soil. But if schools were gardens, I could confidently say that I strive to plant seeds of encouragement in the lives of the students and staff I’m blessed to serve.

As a self-proclaimed seed planter, I’m on a mission to encourage others to do the same. Planting seeds is a skill we can all cultivate. You don’t need a green thumb to help someone grow. We can plant seeds that nurture confidence, competence, character, courage, consciousness, and career growth in the people around us.

What are you planting?

One of the most powerful ways we plant seeds is through our words. When spoken with care and intention, our words can land on fertile soil and eventually bloom into something beautiful—like a vibrant flower or a deeply rooted tree.

Over the next few weeks, I invite you to join me on a journey of reflection, growth, and intentionality. Together, let’s explore how we can recommit to planting seeds of encouragement and empowerment in every space we enter. I believe in the power of both individual and collective influence. With intentional effort, we can cultivate beautiful gardens and raise up strong, resilient trees—figuratively and literally.

Why Toastmasters? Why Now?

Have you ever heard of Toastmasters International?

Toastmasters is a global organization committed to “empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.” As a lifelong learner who has worked at various stages of the education pipeline, I know that communication is essential for leadership. That’s why I was thrilled when, in 2022, the District 25

Toastmasters leadership team helped us launch our Toast with Confidence club at Texas Woman’s University.

When I joined Toastmasters, I felt like I had found my people—a community dedicated to learning, growth, and mutual encouragement. This year’s D25 theme, Here We Grow, perfectly captures what Toastmasters is all about. It also inspired me to take my passion for communication, mentorship, and leadership to the next level by writing this blog series.

What This Series Is About

This blog series—The Power of Seeds: The Joy of Planting Seeds and Empowering Others to Grow and Lead—will explore what it means to intentionally invest in others through our words, actions, and presence.

In true Toastmasters fashion, I’ll be sharing content through a memorable acronym: PLANT SEEDS. Each blog will focus on one letter of the phrase and explore a growth and communication strategy that can be used to build others up.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Personal stories that highlight how I’ve learned to plant seeds in others

• Practical strategies you can use to encourage growth in your students, team, family, or community

• Challenges to help you go deeper and adopt intentional habits of empowerment

• Reflections on how Toastmasters has helped me develop and share my voice

  
  

While you’re welcome to explore all eight strategies, I recommend choosing one or two that resonate deeply with you and focusing on those. Depth, not just breadth, is the key to sustainable growth.

My Prayer and Purpose

The overarching goals of this series are to:

• Provide you with simple yet powerful ways to plant seeds through your words and actions

• Encourage you to see your environment—whether it’s a classroom, office, or dinner table—as a garden filled with potential

• Share the personal and professional benefits of being part of a growth-minded organization like Toastmasters

  
  

  

  
  

So here’s your invitation:Join me in the garden.Let’s plant some seeds.Let’s empower others to grow and lead.