September was probably the fastest four weeks I can remember in a long while. You see, I have returned to the classroom after 12 years as a K-8 Education Technology Consultant.By Friday of the first week I couldn't wait to get to school. The reason: excitement. Pure and simple. I felt alive!
It was like riding a bike really. Developing new habits and routines while at the same having that same feeling as 30 years ago when I started to work with children. The excitement of hearing your name, the wonder of children learning, the buzz of the schoolyard, the cries of new-to-school students as they wept when their mothers had to leave as teachers and students consoled them.
Septembers haven't changed in all these years. 400 or so new beginnings at my school. An opportunity for all to meet new friends and new teachers and learn new things. My friend @royanlee said it well in mid-September with this tweet in response to my excitement.
He's right.
Students give you energy as a teacher and keep you young. Their youthful enthusiasm never wanes and you can count on them to be ready and willing to learn.
I'm so fortunate to be a teacher.
3 comments:
What a pleasure it is to read and hear the excitement in your post as you begin your new position. You're right - it's just like riding a bike as kids are kids. The bike may be dressed up differently, come with more advanced gears and widgets, but at the end of the day, it still moves along the same road in life.
I'm curious. As someone who has not yet taught for 10 years, what do you see as the biggest change/difference in teaching in that time span?
You're quick off the mark this morning, Heather!
I had a moment or two to reflect on your question over a quick bite with my son who is off to the orchard to help with harvest customers.
Although it may sound a bit selfish, I'm not sure that schools and children have changed that much in all these years. Now, I'm speaking in the affective domain here. But I know I have changed. My years in a central support role gave me a whole new perspective on teachers, students and the like. But what it did for me was allow me to attend a great many workshops and meet some incredible teachers from whom I learned to be a better teacher and hopefully, a better person (still working on that).
So what I find is that my approach to students has changed. That is to say, I take time to get to know the students, start to build relationships, care about their interests, help them to learn. I thought I was doing this many years ago, but my approach was different back then. It is kinder and gentler now. Hopefully I'm not a pushover, and can be firm and fair, but I just plain "feel different" about being back working with kids.
Maybe my advanced years (-: help me to be a mellower me. Thanks for your thoughts and making me think this morning.
By the way, both my wife, who is a long time teacher and me when through a "What's next?" career assessment at the 10 year mark. We both needed a change. We both made changes at the time that worked out.
I can feel your energy and enthusiasm through your post. I'm so happy for you, buddy!
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