Burdens

I was reading this article, and it seemed to be a perfect metaphor to what I can become if I quit pushing myself as a teacher.  I run the risk of becoming stagnant in an ever changing workplace.

The bike in this picture was simply lost and left alone in the path of a growing tree.  Fast forward a few decades and the bike has been swarmed by the rest of the tree and could now be considered a burden to the rest of the tree.  In the same way if we do not continue to evolve and continue down the path of growth as a teacher, could we not be a burden to our occupation?  I really hope that this picture never describes me as a teacher.  I hope that I will have retired as an educator long before this depicts me.  The children we have the opportunity to teach deserve better than having someone collecting a paycheck rather than do what is best for kids.