Integrity Inventory

An annual core values check-in

Jul 02, 2025

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
- Howard Thurman

I first came across the idea of an “Integrity Report” when I read James Clear’s book Atomic Habits. As Clear writes, “I use it as a time to revisit my core values and consider whether I have been living in accordance with them. This is when I reflect on my identity and how I can work toward being the type of person I wish to become.”1

I’ve taken this practice and adapted it to better fit myself and renamed it “Integrity Inventory” instead of “Integrity Report”. This is the second year I’ve done this reflection, and I’m sharing some of it here with you. You’ll notice that several of my reflections overlap with various core values. For me, part of living an integrated life is embracing that crossover.

Value 1: Courage

Courage to do hard things and live the life that makes me come alive

Ways I’ve lived with integrity/integration:

The most significant courageous decision I made this year was to take a leave of absence for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. I’m doing this in order to do more direct equity work through piecing together various contracting positions. While I’ve enjoyed being back with students this last year, I realized that I missed direct equity work too much, and I needed a change.
This past winter, I was recruited by NEA (National Education Association - national teacher’s union) through the work I already do at the state level and began contracting with them, facilitating equity work with one of their teams. While a bit intimidated by the national scope at first, I was excited about the opportunity to pursue specific equity work once again.

Adjustments or changes I want to make:

I wouldn’t say I necessarily want to make adjustments as much as I want to live out what I’ve already started by taking the leave of absence. I have plans to build and expand Cultivating Justice into more of a brand in seeking work as an educational equity consultant. Given that the school year just ended, I’m at the cusp of implementing what I’ve been dreaming about for several months now, which is exciting! I’ll practice courage often as I explore new opportunities and reach beyond my current comfort zone in attempting to grow this work.
A wonderful card I received from a colleague-friend when she heard about my upcoming leave of absence.

Value 2: Grounded

Being grounded in who I am and in knowing my value and worth

Ways I lived with integrity/integration:

A large part of what led me to pursue a leave of absence was a result of how much I struggled to feel grounded for much of the school year. While I fully expected an adjustment period in being back in the classroom, I felt like I was being shoved into a box that no longer fit me (even though it used to and I absolutely loved it at the time). My mental health took a hit until I started contracting with NEA. I realized that I feel more fully grounded in who I am when I’m doing direct equity work.
I got my first (and only?) tattoo this spring on my forearm that reads“Beloved.” This is what “Amy” (spelled this way) means, and I needed the visual reminder every day that I am, indeed, greatly loved. This also was an act of courage.

Adjustments or changes I want to make:

Since I’ll be able to control my own schedule moving forward, I would like to follow my energy more than tasks/time to the greatest extent possible, meaning dive into deep productivity and thinking when I have the energy and rest when my body signals it needs it. I did this to some degree during COVID, and I’d like to return to it when I can. (I enjoyed working from home during COVID; teaching middle schoolers online was terrible.)
I want to go for more walks and stretch more often. I used to do these more frequently, but my habit declined over this past school year. I felt the absence in my body as a result, and I would like to tend to myself and metabolize my stress more productively with regular (dare I say daily?) intentionally active movement.

Value 3: Generosity

Receiving and giving generously in community; not just material generosity, but generosity of time and presence

Ways I lived with integrity/integration:

I facilitated classroom meetings in all my classes each Thursday, and once a month we did “Shout-Outs,” where students gave each other compliments. It was usually my goal that by the time we were finished with multiple rounds, each student had received at least one shout-out that day. It was a way of practicing generosity with our words as well as receiving the generosity given to us by our peers. Class meeting days were also the days I felt most grounded in who I am in the classroom.
For each week this spring, I made a “Tiny Gratitude” list. I call it “Tiny Gratitude” because it helps me focus more on the small delights and joys in each day. Making these lists helps me to be aware of and acknowledge the generosity I’m receiving.
In preparation for my leave of absence, I gave away quite a bit of my classroom supplies, particularly my classroom library. First, I held a “book giveaway” in my classroom for students to take what they wanted (some walked away with a stack - it was wonderful!). I distributed the remainder in various Free Little Libraries around my community. Finding them and dropping off the books brought me more joy than I had expected!

Adjustments or changes I want to make:

Because I was teaching full-time and contracting part-time, I barely had margin for the last half of this school year. While I knew it would only be for a season, it was still hard. Moving forward, I’m committed to creating more margin and protecting it so that generosity can flow more easily than it did for much of this last year.

Value 4: Celebration & Delight

Intentionally noticing and savoring moments of delight and celebrating significant moments

Ways I lived with integrity/integration:

This year, the last class that I taught in elementary school (before I moved up to middle school) graduated from high school! Going to graduations and related events is a huge highlight of my June, and this year was no different.
I regularly buy cut flowers to have in my house. Each spring, I also buy a hanging basket of fuchsias; this year, a hummingbird has been coming to visit!
I make myself a chai latte every Saturday morning as part of my slow Saturday routine. It’s such a treat each week, since I usually drink black tea every morning. (Many of you know I am an avid tea drinker; I think coffee is gross. Unpopular opinion, I realize.)

Adjustments or changes I want to make:

I want to read more books from the library. I’ve been reading and re-reading fiction I own, which has been good. Yet I find that I read more broadly when I borrow from the library.
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