Well, today marked back to school for millions across the country. One teacher I read about last week quit her job. Another one I know is currently in counseling for hyper-anxiety. Yet another cries once in a while on her recess time and someone else I know is taking classes to advance. My point in those images is the fact that school is back in session whether we like it or not. Yes, teaching needs you as a teacher but it will go on whether you make the grade or not. This is one of the reasons I hope my future will be in teaching educators. Teachers need inspiration and encouragement in every school and every grade. On a personal note, I’ll be looking to my team teachers for inspiration for myself. This is an evaluation year for me. That means I will be watched a bit more closely all year and formally observed. After I am observed I will meet with my supervisor and he will give me a run down of what I need to improve and possibly he will mention to me what I am doing exemplary.
I had the most amazing year of my career last year so I am still on a bit of a high from that. It was the stuff that teacher inspiration is made of. I have written about a lot of it here in the archives. This year should be the same but I have a lower level of kids so there’s a different set of strategies I need to practice. It was an awesome first day. I have a team that teachers only dream about. They are supportive and thoughtful and talented and forgiving. I definitely need the “forgiving” some days. While I write a blog and have a few decent ideas, I am not perfect and occasionally, it is evident. I think some of the best teacher resources are other teachers. They can also bring you down so be careful who you allow into your world.
I talk about the Dynamite Lesson Plan and its power. Today, I felt like I lost the dynamite, I spent over an hour planning for tomorrow. Through a mixture of visual presentation, more breaks between the action, and marked focus on one standard as we begin to learn to work together, I feel tomorrow will capture their wonder better than today. What a great mantra when you’re discouraged. Tomorrow I will capture their wonder better than today. I know a lot of teachers may have had a day like mine. If you can envision yourself teaching class, keep that vision alive and follow it. 2009-2010 will be YOUR year. Remember the mantra, find your dynamite and don’t give up. How was your first day?
