Thanks, Jon, for your openness to what is impacting you. It's inspiring others to take the risks, and enjoy conversing with their students; knowing we don't have to be on stage!! You're still young in my book. I'm learning new things daily, too, and it's a gas! Sometimes a bit frustrating, but keeps me interested in others. Best wishes for a wonderful year!
Nice post, but I think your last statement ask for perfection, and perfection isn't human. I've been in the classroom for 33 years. I've reached many students, but there are also those I likely haven't. With over 100 students each year, asking teachers to reach them all is a recipe for burnout.
My advice to teachers would be to reach at least a few students each year. Some years you'll reach many, other years not as many. That's OK. Do your best, and if you feel like you're improving, and you still enjoy your job, you're ready to come back the next year. 👍
Lee - thanks for pushing back on me. I remember years ago talking to one of the best teachers I had ever met. She was Colorado Teacher of the Year - and deserved it. She worked with troubled teens, and she told me that there were some kids she never reached. I remember feeling relieved - if she couldn't do it, then I shouldn't feel guilty. Then I left feeling I didn't need to be Superman.
I feel that I see this statement — reach every student — less as a finish line by June and more like what I told my wife last night about a couple of kids I already know will challenge me: I don't know if I'll reach them. I'm sure going to try anyway.
Thanks, Jon, for your openness to what is impacting you. It's inspiring others to take the risks, and enjoy conversing with their students; knowing we don't have to be on stage!! You're still young in my book. I'm learning new things daily, too, and it's a gas! Sometimes a bit frustrating, but keeps me interested in others. Best wishes for a wonderful year!
Nice post, but I think your last statement ask for perfection, and perfection isn't human. I've been in the classroom for 33 years. I've reached many students, but there are also those I likely haven't. With over 100 students each year, asking teachers to reach them all is a recipe for burnout.
My advice to teachers would be to reach at least a few students each year. Some years you'll reach many, other years not as many. That's OK. Do your best, and if you feel like you're improving, and you still enjoy your job, you're ready to come back the next year. 👍
Lee - thanks for pushing back on me. I remember years ago talking to one of the best teachers I had ever met. She was Colorado Teacher of the Year - and deserved it. She worked with troubled teens, and she told me that there were some kids she never reached. I remember feeling relieved - if she couldn't do it, then I shouldn't feel guilty. Then I left feeling I didn't need to be Superman.
I feel that I see this statement — reach every student — less as a finish line by June and more like what I told my wife last night about a couple of kids I already know will challenge me: I don't know if I'll reach them. I'm sure going to try anyway.