Heading up north for a little well needed R&R this weekend! When we go up north I always have a chance to reflect. Today I'm wondering ...As I get older if I need a change in my career but then I wonder what would that be. There aren't too many opportunities in education to make a shift. It's grade level changes, administrative, coaching or specialized. I've taught other grades and I'm not sure that's the change I'm looking for. Administrative and coaching are not my forte. Then I think about what I'm passionate about ...literacy especially writing, agriculture and history. Well I'm already teaching literacy but I wonder why does it not seem the same as those first years of teaching? Ah... Data! So much of it! The last couple days I relaxed a bit in my classroom if you can call it that. Let kids sit back and enjoy the read aloud chapter book, having a good book discussions, talk about good books to read, I even read a favorite picture book and did a fun writing activity that celebrated our unique qualities. Heaven forbid I even did an art project. Oh yeah we went outside for an extra recess, too. No DATA! Please don't tell my administrator. They would probably look at me like I've lost my mind.
After my self reflection I realize now what the change is since I began teaching. But what is the solution? I need to find a balance that pleases administration, and my self. How to get back to that place?
I do have all weekend of riding my snowmobile to ponder these burning questions. Just me in my helmet among the wild blue yonder.
Unless you have an answer.
That is great that your "get away" is snowmobiling (sounds fun to me!) but some might think "no way". Maybe that's it....Try to find the fun in what could be look at in a negative way. Sounds like you did that with your students today...I think it is all just a shift in your thinking and things will all align.
ReplyDeleteThat is great that your "get away" is snowmobiling (sounds fun to me!) but some might think "no way". Maybe that's it....Try to find the fun in what could be look at in a negative way. Sounds like you did that with your students today...I think it is all just a shift in your thinking and things will all align.
ReplyDeleteNo answer here, education has changed so much in the 39 years I've been involved in. Some aspects are better, but the data collection is a burden. Have a good weekend on the snowmobile.
ReplyDeleteI think the pendulum has to swing the other way eventually. The testing madness will run its course and something else will take its place, I hope. I work in an independent (non-public) school and am grateful for the choices we get to make, not constrained by required tests.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really interesting that I've been feeling the same way. I need a change but I'm not really sure it's a grade level change I need. I want a team who wants to plan boldly together, I want to mix it up and try something new. Team teaching? Multiage? I don't know something outside the box. Let me know that you figure out inside that helmet of yours, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an awesome and well deserved weekend. Enjoy the time away from the data chaos. I'm glad you took a break with your class. I think I may need to break out some watercolors next week and chill a bit.
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