On The Brink Of Greatness!

Through recent faculty meetings, extended workdays and team meetings, next year has been on my mind. As a teacher, living on an island in the summer, definitely has its advantages.  I have always looked forward to the end of the year, for just that reason....the END of the year! Knowing September will bring all the excitement and energy back, after a couple of sun-soaked months.  Yes, I have a tug at my heart, letting the students that I have worked with in the trenches all year, go off to 8th grade. However, overall, I have always looked forward to a fresh start.

While approaching the end of my 10th year as an educator here on Nantucket, I have never experienced this renewed sense of energy I have had with school lately. And ironically, it's May!  I have been very much enjoying a new unit with my students, navigating the peaks and valleys of what works and what I need to adjust for next year.  However, I don't think that is it.  For the first time in our district, I feel that we have a group of teachers who are not only dedicated to teaching, but dedicated to creating a new sense of community. An educator's community.  I have often experienced a sense of mystery when working with colleagues on our small little island.  Unsure of what others do in their classes and more often feeling that they don't want me to know.  Often the excuse for professional collaboration is a teacher's anthem; "there's not enough time!" Recently I have noticed a shift.  Although slight, it has been noticeable.  Our principal has really listened to some of us and has been the point person on organizing some amazing opportunities for our staff.  While also keeping the doors wide open for educators from our elementary and high school, as well as the two private schools on the island.

Instead of feeling like it is a rush to the finish line, I am feeling excited about the work I want to do over the summer and truly enthusiastic for the start of next year, to continue this wave of collaboration, sharing and reflection.  I feel that our island is on the brink of greatness when it comes to education, and it is empowering.  Yes, we have a lot of work to do, however, even though it sounds so simple, for the very first time, there is a sense of genuine unity around improving our instruction in the most creative and forward thinking ways.

In Search of Balance

According to Merriam-Webster, Balance is: the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall: the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance. 

Sounds euphoric if you ask me. 

In life, balance for me has always been the goal.  It is a goal that comes to the forefront when I begin to feel overwhelmed with emotions, expectations, school or just life in general. This year has been particularly hard for me on more of a personal note, losing my mother unexpectedly in a tragic accident was really the lowest point, but overall, it has been the most challenging year of my life.  I have found myself searching for balance constantly, desperate for it at times.  There is an importance to knowing what you need in life in order to keep things in the "proper amount of importance".  Once this knowledge is gained, finding balance is within reach. It is difficult to know what adds stress to your life, what is most important to you and what makes you happy.  Then prioritize.  Learning to say "no" is probably the dirty little secret in finding balance (for me anyway).  Knowing that I don't need to do everything, and I can't control everything.  It is essential for me to focus on what is important to me and to harness my attention on what I am truly passionate about.  

As educators, I feel that we live two lives.  Our school life with our "school family" and our private life.  To find balance with both is a healthily optimistic point of view.   Often they mimic one another. At school, we find ourselves trying to do it all.  We want to do what's best for our students, yet find ourselves trying to juggle other initiatives competing with those efforts.  One message or mantra that I find myself reflecting on more often than not, is to not worry about things that are out of my control.  It only adds unnecessary stress and does not help the ultimate goal of balance.  In my quest for balance at school, I remain focused on what's best for students, how I can best relate to them and keep class FUN and engaging.  I also need to focus on my passion for teaching and continue to push myself to be the best I can be.   I am a work in progress and planning on staying focused on balance for the remainder of the year. 

#ThankATeacher

#ThankATeacher

As I think back and reflect on the teachers I have had, there are two teachers in particular that stand out in my mind.  The first one...Mr. Harrison my 9th and 11th grade AP English teacher got me to love reading. Throughout my entire education, leading up to 9th grade, I was a big "fake reader". That's what I call it when talking to my 7th grade English students now....fake reading.  I was able to get by and do my work, but I really had no interest in reading.  In Mr. Harrison's class, one of the treasured books that I simply fell in love with was Lonesome Dove.  I am not sure if it was the romantic western story line with Gus McCrae or the mere fact that I finished reading an 850 pg. book that charged my adoration for it.  Regardless, I truly shifted my attitude towards reading and lifelong learning from that point on.  It saddens me that it took until high school for that switch to flip, however, I am thankful the switch did flip.  Better late than never.

The second teacher who I am so grateful for was my lead teacher during my student teaching experience.  Mr. Denoncour, a 5th grade veteran teacher in the Concord, NH school district was a true teaching role model for me.  He had a beautiful way of teaching all the different content areas of 5th grade, but truly worked hard on building relationships with his students.  Something that I hold very near and dear to my teaching practice.  I still use little strategies he taught me to help build my relationships with kids and make them feel important and successful and I truly thank him for all that he did for me. He lives and breathes life-long learning and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with him.

I don't think anyone begins teaching looking for a thank you. I know for me know, in the end of my tenth year of teaching, the effort and excitement that students show for my class is a thank you enough.