Writing Again – an update

I have not written a blog post since October of last year, if I’m not mistaken. It was a deliberate, but silly decision. I was annoyed because I didn’t get something I wanted that was directly related to blogging; I had applied twice and both times I got close, but not close enough. So I was mad and decided not to blog publicly for a while.

Infantile behavior, I know. But evolving and learning to do better is not defined by a straight path.

I finally decided that by making this decision, I was only hurting myself.

So, I’m going to start blogging regularly again. I need to explore some truths, like the one that follows.

The first year I was back teaching in person after COVID, I felt like the worst teacher ever. In fact, it was the worst year of my career. I struggled almost every day. I took two short-term leaves. I tried my best, but always felt like I was coming up short.

At the beginning of this school year, I got my teaching groove back, like Stella…and then I got a severe case of pneumonia and had to take a 2-month leave. I’d only been with my students for six weeks when I got sick and didn’t return until the first day back in January.

I had to start all over again. I had to revisit so many procedures. I had to rebuild my relationship with students. I had to figure out where to continue their learning and how to move forward.

Sometimes, I have felt like I’m being too rigid with my students. I’m not letting go of the little things and instead I’m perseverating on small behaviors rather than addressing the big issues.

So, I’ve spent time reflecting on what’s happening and I’ve come up with some things I’ve noticed that could be impacting my response in the classroom.

I have a very challenging student this year who would benefit from having a full-time assistant; we don’t have one.

Teachers have more paperwork and administrative tasks to do than ever before.

I’m still recovering from my bout with pneumonia and am nursing a Spring Break cold as I write this.

I am a couple of years from leaving the classroom and I am thinking about all the things I still want to do as a teacher.

I am starting to contemplate having a different role in education. Although I have yet to figure out what that is, I have a lot of ideas.

I feel young, but I’m painfully aware that I’m not; I know some of my colleagues are wondering: how much longer is she going to stay?

I have high standards and need to give my students and myself grace.

On those days when I feel like I’ve failed, I will remember that I am a good enough teacher, and I will try again the next day. We all deserve multiple opportunities to get things just right.

I look forward to writing a weekly post. I hope you’ll look forward to reading it.

Slice of Life March Challenge

I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve tried to establish a daily writing habit numerous times in the past without success. I get excited by the latest writing challenge so I sign up right away. I get off to a good start and then…life interrupts. I miss a day and then guilt sets in. So, why would I be participating in the Slice of Life (SOL) March Challenge? Given my previous track record, it would be safe to bet that I will not complete the 31 days of consecutive posts. Add to that the fact that I will be at a conference for five days early in March, and you’ve got a recipe made for failure. But, those are the elements that make challenges more exciting, right?

During last year’s March SOL Challenge, I wrote for 30/31 days. Of course, some posts were better than others and some were written on the fly in order to fulfill the daily writing quota. Nevertheless, I will keep trying to reach that as yet elusive goal to make writing a daily ritual. Maybe being at a conference will give me some writing material. New places, new people, new experiences are always great opportunities for slicing.

So, here’s to 31 joyful days to towards a daily writing habit. I’m looking forward to reading others’ slices throughout this month and to celebrating together at the end.

Let the slicing begin!

Cross posted to https://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/sol15-day1/

You’ve got a magic tree: what does it grow? Great question! When you imagine a magic tree people picture money, I think. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an easy, effortless way to come by those things in life that we want or care about? When I think of a magic tree I think of other things that may be corny but are more long lasting. For example, more and more lately, I think of good health because of all the perks being healthy bring with it. I don’t think of good health as something that happens almost as if by magic but rather health that is magical because with a little effort – some sort of daily exercise, careful attention to eating, time out to relax and spend quality time with family and friends, involvement in some activity you are passionate about, just to name a few – you can live a healthy life. This is to say, then, that my tree isn’t a magic tree that grants wishes but a magical tree that serves as a reminder that the good things in life I strive for demand some life changes on my part that when done consistently and intentionally are magical due to the power they have for transforming my life. What do you think? Do you agree or have I taken this idea too far? I would love to hear others’ perspectives.

I’m posting every week in 2011!

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting right now. I will be posting on this blog once a week for all of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The Weekly Post, and the community of other bloggers with similiar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.