Round 3

I feel anxious preparing for this school year to start. I feel like the juggling act is about to begin and it’s the calm before the storm right now (school-house-wedding-family stuff-part time job-life stuff). I’m a planner and a goal setter—my first year I had 3-4 goals but my overall objective was to stay alive. You might think this is funny but I had heard so many horror stories about the first year of teaching and all of the negative that comes with it. Thank the Lord above—I never felt any of this. My first year in terms of staying alive was a success! I felt like I gave my absolute best to every student and that was the primary goal.

My second year teaching I set very specific goals based on test scores (focus solely on one group of students, manage my alone preparation time more effectively, make the kids struggle with extremely challenging work so that my class is harder and more effective etc). I walked away from my second year feeling like it was a major flop. I felt like I focused solely on testing and not kids---in comparison with my first year, it WAS a flop. I allowed the pressure of the test to corrupt who I am as a teacher- I allowed myself to become consumed with numbers and statistics.

Although my second year may have been a flop in the books, it was a great experience to learn from in comparison with my first year. This year I’m going back to my original perspective---each student is not a number-they aren’t a score. It’s my job to teach them and if I do my job to the best of my ability they will naturally grow. I can’t justify in my mind that one score is more important than another (greatest challenge of my job) and unless I’m doing my best for all of them-they all suffer.

Teaching is such a delicate balance; juggling a child who can’t read with a child who reads on the high school level with a child who is falling asleep in class to one who can’t stop talking in class. They all have different needs and experiences. One grows up with grandparents and the other is parented by a sibling. Let the juggling begin! In the end, if God is pleased with my teaching…...my year is a complete success!!


Third year Goals:

1. Teach 6th grade to the best of my ability (curriculum requirements)
2. Ensure that all students comprehend their worth based on their character
3. Embrace that I'm a teacher but teaching is not my life (perspective and purpose)
4. Expect excellence and students will deliver excellence
5. Be a light for Christ by maintaining my integrity in all situations