It's been an odd week. A short week. A sometimes frustrating week. It's that time of the year - the conclusion of the first grading period when I question if I've done enough and worry that I haven't. Doubt crept in. The to-do list of grading and planning lengthened. The boss came to observe.
Let's just say that Friday was a more-than-usual welcome!
In such a week, all of my insecurities floated to the top. The voices questioning the rigor in my class and the philosophy of my style shouted louder than my students and my heart. I let it get to me. I felt down, bummed, like I do when the fall days get shorter and the darkness stretches. Oh, wait. Guess the universe and my brain are in cahoots. Rats.
Thus, the personal pep talk was summoned. See Friday morning's tweet.
And then, something cool happened. First period made me laugh - A LOT! Second period wrote strong, insightful thesis statements. Third period brought an academic and strategic conversation with the boss. And fourth period, after some smiles and high fives from Academic Decathlon, I witnessed the greatness that is Mr. Thompson and his theater class! Following, I cheered on the Silver Wings, cheerleaders, and football mommas in pep-rally performance, laughed more with good friends, and ended the night with my kiddos at the Hawk football game with a win - in both regulation and halftime!
I guess I needed that!
Somewhere in the week of weirdness, the voices of two trusted friends and geniuses consoled me too. They reminded me that I make choices in my classes based on the needs of my students first - above all else - and sometimes that even means that first period looks different from second. They apologized for our colleagues who have continually heard only part of my message and who fixate on that singular part above all else. You know, the part where all I do is teach fluffy lit when I allow my students to select their own reading. They told me to shake it off, to forge ahead, to essentially "keep my chin up" as my daddy always says. My friends are amazing people.
And so, this weekend, I tackle the mounds of items I must complete to wrap up the nine weeks (in between watching my Aggies - whoop!). I plan with my students and their needs at the forefront. I laugh and play and snuggle with my home people because I love them. And come Monday, I'll return to my #FriendEng3 classroom to persuade, analyze, compose, and revise with my students with a high level of rigor and with frequent student choice and collaboration.
Because it's the right thing to do for my students.
And it'll be a great week!
In such a week, all of my insecurities floated to the top. The voices questioning the rigor in my class and the philosophy of my style shouted louder than my students and my heart. I let it get to me. I felt down, bummed, like I do when the fall days get shorter and the darkness stretches. Oh, wait. Guess the universe and my brain are in cahoots. Rats.
Thus, the personal pep talk was summoned. See Friday morning's tweet.
And then, something cool happened. First period made me laugh - A LOT! Second period wrote strong, insightful thesis statements. Third period brought an academic and strategic conversation with the boss. And fourth period, after some smiles and high fives from Academic Decathlon, I witnessed the greatness that is Mr. Thompson and his theater class! Following, I cheered on the Silver Wings, cheerleaders, and football mommas in pep-rally performance, laughed more with good friends, and ended the night with my kiddos at the Hawk football game with a win - in both regulation and halftime!
I guess I needed that!
Somewhere in the week of weirdness, the voices of two trusted friends and geniuses consoled me too. They reminded me that I make choices in my classes based on the needs of my students first - above all else - and sometimes that even means that first period looks different from second. They apologized for our colleagues who have continually heard only part of my message and who fixate on that singular part above all else. You know, the part where all I do is teach fluffy lit when I allow my students to select their own reading. They told me to shake it off, to forge ahead, to essentially "keep my chin up" as my daddy always says. My friends are amazing people.
Because it's the right thing to do for my students.
And it'll be a great week!
Sorry about your Aggies. Having taught across the hall from you for many years, I know for a fact that everything you do is in the interest of the students. The naysayers will figure it out eventually, and when they do, they'll be scrambling to rise up to your level. Keep pushing!
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