My Current Need

Since I was a first year teacher I looked forward for years 3, 4, and 5, because that's when I heard teaching got a little more manageable. I imagined neatly filed lesson plans for each day with standards and essential questions ready to go. I'm realizing that that's not happening, so what I need right now is to remember that this feeling I'm having is relatively normal.

According to an article published by The Washington Post titled, "The 12 Qualities Great Teachers Share" states, "being a great teacher is a constant struggle to always improve."

I have such high standards for myself that I often think, "oh just wait until next year. I'm going to have everything ready to go like like the teachers in the Social Studies department who just open the file cabinet and pull out the day's worksheets.

Or I'd grow to become like some of the Math teachers, who create gigantic packets containing an entire trimester's materials.

But then I think, would I really enjoy that?

I start to weight the pros and cons, and I actually find more cons to that style of teaching. It just doesn't groove with me. I like to be flexible, adaptable. I like to get an idea in the shower, think it through on the drive to work, and walk in to my classroom knowing what I need to deliver it as a great lesson.

Do I have everything neatly arranged, day-by-day, no. But I'm starting to be okay with that. So truly, my need is not to standardize my life as a teacher, rather, lean in to what it means to be a great teacher. A professional who struggles to improve because they know it will not only help their students grow, but also themselves.

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 4, 2018 at 1:46 PM

    I feel the same way about myself, Nick. Although it would be much easier to be content with laminating your current lessons that you like this year and use them every year from here on out would be much easier, we should always be looking for ways to improve. It is exciting to try something new in our classes just to see how it goes, and if things don't go well it's okay! Have you had lessons that completely flopped, and if so, how have you handled this going forward?

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  2. AnonymousApril 6, 2018 at 7:33 PM

    As a second year teacher, I feel some of the same feelings. I don't think we'll ever get rid of the desire to find better ways to get to our students, especially as each group of students is different from the last. Do you talk with other teachers or even your students about your desire for improvement? I'm always surprised with the ideas that other teachers and, yes, students have for introducing and practicing content.

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  3. AnonymousApril 7, 2018 at 8:11 PM

    I've always been amazed with your organizational and planning skills. I desired to have neat and sequenced binders like you when I transitioned into Language Arts after teaching German for two years. I'm glad to hear that you've struggled, like I have, with that anxiety of not having the ready to go plans at all times. I'm happy you realized how normal that feeling is and that you rather lean into the true yet valid struggle of being a teacher, constantly in flux. Your post reminds me of a session's prompt, what is the true purpose of education? How will that purpose shape your future instruction?

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