Excuse Meme

Last week two friends sent me the same meme about a teacher not wanting to go back to school.  A man stands outside of a bedroom door, knocking on it saying "You have to go back, you're the teacher."

"Thought of you" my friends said as they sent me the meme.  They were thinking of me? I thought.  When people see a negative teaching meme, they associate it with me?

Summer break is a great benefit to being a teacher.  It's a great time to relax, to recharge and to dig into self care so you are at your best to come back and focus on the million of tasks at hand.  I slept in, spent time with my soon-to-be stepson, took a road trip, rode a bike in the middle of the day and watched too much Netflix. I also read professional books, watched professional development videos on YouTube and talked with my professional learning network (aka professional family).  I was brainstorming new ideas, thinking about ways to adjust my practice and coming up with my goals for the new year.  I am so excited to teach all the things.

Meme courtesy of my #4OCFPLN-I want to teach all the things

In my district, Kindergarten teachers get to participate in a half day week long program before school starts to meet our incoming kinders and show them what school is like (without any "big kids" there!).  At my school, we get the added benefit of an additional week for our English Language Learners to meet us, get comfortable and learn a few routines.  Yes, this means I "lose" two weeks of summer break to start programs early...but what do I gain?

I gain one-on-one time with the incoming kinders.  I get so much time to get to know them (aren't we always strapped for time?).  I get to play with them without the crush of assessment or extensive planning.  One day, last week, I played hopscotch with an incoming kinder who speaks limited English and we had so much fun.  We sang songs, we ran, we practiced using scissors. I laughed, I saw strengths, I saw friendships building and I smiled so much my face hurt.

So...I don't have time for those negative memes.  I've had my time for self care and now it's time to get back into the absolutely fulfilling work I get to do every single day.

If you are a teacher, I encourage you to spread those positive memes.  Talk about the amazing parts of our work.  Even if you are longing for sleeping in and days by the lake, pump yourself up and think about those things you can't wait to do in your classroom, those kids you can't wait to see again.  If you aren't a teacher, think about memes before you send them to your teacher friends--does this promote the amazing things teachers get to do every day to build the future leaders of the world?  Are you inspiring your friends, cheering them on and encouraging them to get excited about the year ahead?

Our work is so special.  Our kids are so important and they deserve memes that highlight how their teachers can't wait to see them.  Spread those positive messages and change the world.

My PLN loves a new school year

Somebody to Lean On

One of the most exciting moments of becoming a teacher is getting into the classroom.  When I received my student teaching placement, I had butterflies in my stomach.  I saw my desk and a pile of curriculum books, I couldn't wait to dig in.  I had wanted to be a teacher for so long and now I would get to put everything into action.

My student teaching experience was rough.  I was not a natural and teaching didn't come easy.  I struggled and often felt those who were guiding me weren't really sure how to help me through my problems of practice.   If I had just asked questions (but I had no idea what questions I needed to ask).  I felt the label of "bad teacher" hanging over me. I felt like I just couldn't get it right...and maybe never would.  My mistakes and failures weren't learning opportunities, they felt like points being docked from a grade or a risk of not passing. It was high pressure all of the time.

That's me, one stressed out and overwhelmed student teacher.

If you are taking on a student teacher in this new school year, I'm going to ask you...why are you taking on a student teacher?

Many teachers take on a student teacher to lighten their workload.  If you've got someone else teaching most of the time, it frees you up to work one-on-one with other students, to get more done, to work on National Boards.  Maybe your class is really big and a student teacher will lower your ratio.  Others benefit from a small stipend and that extra bit of money makes life a little easier.  I might be pushing your thinking when I say that these reasons are not good enough reasons to have a student teacher.

Taking on a student teacher is not about getting another body in your classroom and making your teaching life easier.  Mentoring a student teacher involves pouring your time and your support into someone else.  Your energy goes into building a strong, future educator.  If your student teacher is failing and struggling, you get to be that person they lean on.  You get to help put them back into the driver's seat and maybe even sit with them when they jump back onto the freeway.  You are the best resource your student teacher has, every day you get to model, guide, inspire and help someone become their best teaching self.  Instead of just committing to the growth of your amazing students, you are also committing to the growth of another adult--it's important and powerful work.

If you are taking on a student teacher (or thinking about it) I encourage you to be the person I needed as a student teacher.  Be the mentor teacher that helps the "not a natural" student teacher find their way.  Help student teachers navigate through the murky transition into being a "real" teacher.  Teach student teachers how we hit the speed bumps, reflect, patch up that car and keep moving with that learning experience in our review mirror.

You have the power to help others become amazing educators who change the world.  You also have the ability to end a career before it even begins.  Be that amazing mentor teacher that impacts a wide range of kids by helping build strong teachers in your community.