Ok, so this is another ADHD post...one that has my heart on my mind. This summer my goal is to catch up the blog and repost my MythBusters classroom in August...as well as our kayaking and trail riding experiences...But for now, I need to recap the last year...
I'm not gonna lie. This year was probably the single wonkiest year in my nine years of teaching...heck, honestly my entire life. In the last 12 months, I've experienced nearly every emotion: from panic and fear, to God's grace and peace, to grief over life lost, to pride and joy, to honor and humbleness, to disappointment, to strengthened faith, to inspiration and happiness, back to honor and humbleness, and honor and humbleness again. And you know, it's crazy how God works. Before I begin, my marriage and family are wonderful...this is a focus on my growth as a teacher this year:
Mid-way through the year, I wondered what I was supposed to do with my career: should I stay and fight the good fight, even at the level of stress and pressure (and declining paychecks) that are falling on the shoulders of teachers, or should I go and find something that I know would bring me less satisfaction and go against what I felt God had planned for me. In a series of events, God opened some doors and closed others, all of which led me to know exactly where I should be: in the classroom as a Teacher Leader.
My journey began like this: This
school year began with change: change in our tight-knit grade level
team, change in administration, and change in my role as a teacher; all
of which left me uneasy, scared, and at times nervous. But, with my faith, I
proceeded chin high and with a positive attitude...and my relationship
with my administration and team couldn't be more wonderful. This year I had the distinguished honor of being named my school's Teacher of the Year...something I cherish most deeply in my heart because I WENT to the school where I teach. I teach with my own teachers. TES is in my blood. Later, I was named a finalist for my county and felt so incredibly humbled that someone like me could be in such a position...and I wanted to make my school proud. Throughout the whole TOY process, which includes a very in-depth eight page essay on your philosophy, I asked for God to help me find my roots...what I truly believed about our profession. And, while it was laborious, I am so thankful for the process because I know now what I believe and why. In my interview, I was asked what I would change about public education (yeah, big 'ol can o' worms there) and I chose to not focus on merit pay or testing...things I couldn't control. I truly felt like I wanted to change teacher morale...from the bottom up. Teachers are scared...and they are good teachers. I stated firmly "That's gotta change."
On the day of the TOY banquet, I woke up to one of my church's gifted sopranos singing "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" in my head and I prayed for God's peace. If it wasn't to be me as the county TOY, that's ok. I just wanted peace and not heartache. That night I had the greatest time with my family and school family. I truly had so much fun. And, I wasn't awarded the title, but the feelings of disappointment still flooded me...not disappointment for me, but that I'd let my school down. Thankfully, this was gone the next morning when I woke up and thought, "Man, I'm actually glad I don't have to do allll that work!" Now, remember, my own hubby was 2010 TOY for my whole district and I felt I had big shoes to fill...and I knew the work involved.But, I knew that if this was the path God had in mind for me, that he had other things more taylor-made for me in mind.
In April, my district notified me that I was nominated to be on a team of teachers to attend The Gates Foundation's Empowering and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2) conference in St. Petersburg....my very first business trip! I walked into the huge hotel room at the beautiful Vinoy, and just asked, "God, please lead me to where I'm supposed to go." And, through the course of the weekend, he (and the Gates Foundation) did. First, by inspiring me and helping me to discover my mentoring skills; then next by helping me to understand how Common Core will work and what I can do to implement it; and finally with bringing the two, mentoring and teaching, together. On the last day, we were asked to think about one thing in education we'd change (sound familiar?) and immediately I thought of teacher morale. Now, knowing this is a lofty goal, I knew I needed structure on how to make this happen...and the breakout session I attended did just that. To achieve increased teacher morale, teachers must be inspired... by being empowered with knowledge about curriculum, strategies, and mandates....by being involved with their school's professional development. I took this plan back to my principal and was surprised to find she had a very similar plan. How rare and refreshing is that?! From there, our district's ECET team is preparing our own ECET Lake conference to share what we learned, and to help share with other teachers the same spark and shot in the arm we received. I am so incredibly excited!
Oh, and my school and I got a shout-out on my teacher-hero Steve Spangler's blog: Steve Spangler's blog
Um...*Squee!!* Geek out moment!
So, here I am today. So thankful for the crazy last year I've had. So thankful for a few other blessings that I'll share maybe another time. And, I'm so ready to lead other teachers and guide them...and have them guide me too. Regardless of what's ahead, I know completely that God
is in control, He knows my needs, and He will guide me to things
beyond my imagination.