As the title of this blog suggests, I intended to write once a
week, updating those who care, about my trials and journeys as a
starry-eyed, fumbling first year teacher. And then, I became a first
year teacher. My life suddenly became something unrecognizable, a
whirlwind of sticky-notes and papers, oh the papers. Papers to be filed
and papers to be sent and papers to be found. Papers to be graded and
don't forget about the papers that needed to be revised and re-graded.
Last night as I was wading through, said papers, I came across what would
bring tears to an educator. I realized that as I was planning and
teaching and grading and...desperately trying not to lose sight of what was
important, I, undoubtedly, had lost sight of what was important, the small
things that make every second of the whirlwind worthwhile.
This particular student
is hardworking, dedicated, and determined to figure out how exactly the whole
writing thing works. While, grading this paper I was taken aback by the
sudden leap of progress. I'm talking a real thesis statement and quality
evidence followed by substantial, relevant commentary. At the beginning of
the year, this student and many others were at a complete loss when trying to
use evidence to supports their opinions. Yikes! Imagine eleven and
twelve year olds not grasping the concept of being able to properly
and realistically justify their ideas. Let's just says Free Write Fridays
always create vividly colorful narrations; oh, how I love the spirit of Free
Write Fridays! However, when it came to academic writing, the students
were trying to put a puzzle together that they just couldn't seem to
fit together.
Anyways, this
student stirred something. Yet, it wasn't until this morning, 6:43 to be
exact, that the something pulled me out of my precious Saturday sleep-in.
As a student who underestimated the ups, downs, turns, and dives of the
first year, I always said when I get too tired to appreciate the small things,
I am on the steep side of the slippery slope.
This irritating thought wouldn't let me fall back into my
oh-so-soft pillow, so I sat thinking and thinking. While I do notice the
daily baby steps, I have forgotten to appreciate them for what they
are, momentum steps towards the big leap.
Thus, I decided
today is the day to start what I so ardently intended, to share my slippery slopes
and big leaps with those who helped me to begin my journey up this
terrifying, exhilarating, breathtaking mountain. So, I am taking
some advice from one of the best adventurers I have ever known, my Dad.
He always taught me that the trick to keep a fire burning is to keep the
coals hot. Here I am, sharing the coals while they are hot. Here I
am, determined not to wade through the trials of this first year but
rather to relish every moment I get to see my students grow. Here I am,
patiently, but eagerly seeking the beauty that awaits me at the top of the
mountain I call, "learning to be an effective educator." Of
course, next year, I will want to climb another one.
Happy Saturday,
Natalie :)
When we come back after Christmas, we will begin a new unit focusing on how what we read and write can help us determine the "greater good." This is such a perfect season to begin talking about those hard decisions that mold who we are. Are we the typical hero or the despised villain or the unexpected dynamic lesson learner. At some point, we all have to make choices that define who we are, and I love the idea of helping my students learn this as they prepare for the ocean of change, high school. They are our future, and in a way, I feel like I get a tiny window to help them decide who they want to be. The sheep that follows blindly or the rebel that decides rashly or the leader who chooses wisely.