Give Me Five

Te@ch Thought Day 14

5 things you are grateful to have learned in your teaching career.

My classes kicked off our attitude of gratitude with a typical elementary school activity.  Our art teacher helped make a large paper turkey, and each student wrote what they were thankful for on a tail feather. Most students were finished in a few minutes, but there were a few that struggled.  They "couldn't think of anything" to write.  As I sit to write this entry,  what I first thought about these students comes to mind.  I had thought how sad that they were unable to think of one thing.  

Gratitude 1:  Things are rarely what they seem on the surface - dig deeper.

Give 5 - where to begin?  So many thoughts are whirling around in my head.  Only 5.  What 5? Focus? Students, parents, new learnings, colleagues, personal insights.....

Yeah.  About those struggling students trying to put one gratitude down on a feather.  Perhaps they, too, could not immediately narrow down what they are grateful for.  What appeared on the surface was that they couldn't think of one. Maybe they could think of so many they did not know which one to choose.  

I have learned through the years that it is important to dig deeper, not accept how things look at first glance. Students bring everything, EVERYTHING to school with them.  They bring their loves, their fears, their hopes, their insecurities. And EVERYTHING impacts their learning.  If I am to become part of that everything, I have to know what else is in them, is them.  

Gratitude 2:  Some curriculum components are not written - you should teach them anyway.

No where in the sixth grade writing curriculum or CCCS is there turkey feather writing.  Doesn't matter.  But I know that the real lesson built into that turkey feather had nothing to do with feathers or writing.  (See Before you go) Through the years I have learned that these are the lessons my students remember.  And parents.  I received an email from a parent of a student that I had had in my class the year we celebrated the new century. We had made time capsules from Pringles cans.  This student had put it away and they opened it just recently.  The email went on to describe how each item brought back memories of that year and the many "lessons" Stephanie had learned.  Yes, I will teach them anyway.

Gratitude 3:  You can't be great at everything, but your weaknesses are another colleagues/friend's strength. 

Turkey - easy.  For my colleague and friend Nicole, the Art teacher.  Not me.  When I first started teaching, I tried to "do it myself".  If you ask my mom, she will tell you that this has been my mantra since I could speak. But I have learned, albeit the hard way, that this can be frustrating, exhausting, and just not good for my students.  My mantra now is one I instill in my students every day.  It is common for them to focus on what is "easy".  I my class, you are welcome and encouraged to say, "This is easy." But you must add, "for me." And then, when it is not easy for someone, they know who turn to for help.  And when it is easy, they know to offer their help.  Thanks, Nicole.  The turkey is beautiful!  Easy for you!

Gratitude 4: KISS (Keep It Simple Silly) 

One of the best mentors I have had in my teaching career is Sue C.  I was hired as a long term substitute for third grade across the hall from Sue.  She was the only other third grade teacher in the building, so naturally, the principal advised that she was the one to go to with questions.  So I did. As I rattled off my list, and tried hard to write down every word Sue was saying, she looked me square in the eye and asked if I had ever heard of the KISS method. I hesitated, not wanting to appear like I didn't know everything (see gratitude 3), but admitted I had not.  She chuckled, and said, "Keep It Simple Silly". (Well actually she said something else for the last "S", but I forbid my students to use that term, so I adjusted it a little.) And I waited to hear more.....nothing.  It took a few minutes for me to get it, but I did.  And was she ever right!  Through the years I have watched my students thrive and learn when the lessons are simple (don't mistake this for easy), and focused. The more complicated, the more places for them to struggle. I learned much from Sue.  But I strive to KISS each lesson each day. 

Gratitude 5: I love my job, still.

I love what I do. How lucky and grateful I am to be able to say that. I get to work with kids who keep me young at heart. I get to share the learning process.  I am the teacher one moment, the student the next.  Don't get me wrong.  I do not love the politics that surround teaching and teachers.  I do not love the paperwork trail that seems endless.  Every job has its drudgeries.  But I love the art and craft of teaching.  I love the human component of teaching that keeps me on my toes.  And I love that in my own little corner of the world, I can impact the larger world.  One student at a time.  

My turkey feather - I am thankful for my students. What would yours say?