Is a decade a long time? Depends who you ask, right? Fruit flies vs. Redwoods. My teaching in Madison for a little over a decade has given me enough time to see changes in myself.
I can look back and see that while my goal of being an effective teacher has not changed, the tools I need to achieve that goal have. Some resources that were more abundant in my earliest days of teaching: novel experiences, a more resilient and efficient body, and a more single-minded existence have been blended with or traded in for new tools: a greater appreciation for the myriad ways to do this work, a larger group of people whom I can count as friends...
Perhaps this profession has made me more aware of my own trip through life due to all the memorable moments and people I`ve had the opportunity to interact with. Student successes, humorous moments, and problem-solving scenarios all erode slowly from my memory. I look back at those times, and ask myself ``Why did I do that?``, or ``I don`t see that anymore!``.
I guess I`m introspective at times. I`d like to claim that trait if I may. Humor, a willingness to be fallible (but not too often), and putting all that life throws at you on the Big Continuum so you can give it the right amount of attention or lack thereof is what I`m digging out of my tool box currently.
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You point out some very important aspects of our professional growth from whatever point we are in to wherever it is we end up. If we didn't make mistakes and fail sometimes, we would never learn. If we didn't stretch our comfort zone we would never move forward. These are all the same challenges our students face as well. Most importantly I think the reflection and introspection on our work is what helps us to grow in positive directions and make change, even if it is hard. Without it, we are simply machines going through a repetitive process.
ReplyDeleteOnly being amidst my 3rd year as a first grade teacher and only my fourth year as a classroom teacher (of one kind or the other), I have done some reflecting but mostly I feel like I'm racing to stay ahead of students as well as on top of preparing lesson plans and classroom activities. For me these past 3 years have been a whirwind; constantly adapting to life both inside and outside of the classroom and school. I think teachers need to be reminded to take (ideally given) time to reflect. But, time is something we simply will never have enough of...time! Good luck to you on your journey to becoming the best teacher you are capable of becoming and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to get to know you this year.
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