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The speaker, Ashley Croson, addresses future educators about the profession of teaching. She emphasizes the need for adaptability and innovation, given the unpredictable nature of the profession. Croson encourages teachers to stay true to themselves and their authenticity, rather than imitating others. She believes that investing in students and teaching with ambition and authenticity will lead to successful outcomes. I am Ashley Croson. Today I am speaking to future educators, and the title of my speech is Authentic Ambition. I was asked to speak with you today about what this profession will be like 10 years from now, and how we can prepare for that endeavor. But I bet the person who gave this speech 10 years ago didn't talk about Zooming into students' living rooms. And I bet no one would have believed them if they said, 10 years from now a free website will literally write the paper for them. 10 years ago, I was still getting my seaweeds in this job, and looking back, yeah, I was pretty delusional about the future of teaching. The truth is, this profession, for all of its stability, sure can be unpredictable. So how can we best prepare for teaching 10 years from now? If the world is always changing, then we must do the same. Our success is found in our ability to adapt, take chances, collaborate, reflect, and then try again tomorrow. We didn't predict a pandemic, and we don't know what to do with AI. In fact, there are a lot of issues pressing against the doors of our schools these days. But the solutions don't lie in stagnation. They're found in innovation. So be willing to adapt, to change, and then try to remember to stay the same. The most valuable thing you possess isn't your shiny new lesson plan. It's your authenticity. The best English teacher I ever had didn't crack a smile until after winter break. The best math teacher came in early and stayed late every single day. Best writing teacher failed you for having a single personal pronoun in your final draft. And my favorite teacher ever, she captivated us with little more than her words and a blackboard. But I can't do any of those things, at least not with any success. Chances are all of you can rattle off two or 20 teachers who inspired you to enter this profession. But while imitation may be the highest form of flattery, it isn't the greatest approach to educating. Reflect on their talent, and then make it your own. That English teacher I had, I can't keep a straight face for four months, but she taught me how to command a room. That math teacher taught me how to help students learn from their failures. The writing teacher showed me that with a proper approach, students will rise to the high standard you set. And my favorite teacher, she showed me passion. She proved that when you invest in your students, their interests, goals, and lives, and share with them your own excitement for learning, that's when the magic happens. Whether you're launching a unit, remediating a skill, calling home, or going to the game, do it in earnest. If you teach with ambition and authenticity, students today, tomorrow, and 10 years from now will continue to show up for us just as we have shown up for them.