A Teacher's Thanksgiving Reflection

 

It is the time of year when we increase our focus on gratitude. Which is a task that is especially difficult in this trying year of 2020.

I am very fortunate this year.  Despite the pandemic, a lot of good things have been happening in my life both personally and professionally. 

So, I decided to dedicate a blog post about the things I am thankful for when it comes to the world of education. 

8. Summer and Holiday Breaks - I know, I know... I like many teachers work so many extra hours during the school year. I could easily pull the line that I am just collecting comp time during the summer and other breaks.  But let's be honest, having summer's off and extended holiday breaks is one of the perks of being a teacher.  Not only do I appreciate having that time to recharge, but I also love being on the same schedule as my own children so that I can spend time with them during those breaks.

7. Education Tech - I am an older millennial. This means I have seen a lot of changes in technology over my life and this includes in the classroom.  Whenever I think about my educational experiences or the internet goes down at school, I wonder how my teachers did their job without all the tools that we have now.  Google Classroom and Google Drive allow me to keep both my assignments and materials organized.  I love using self-grading Google Forms for reading checks and vocabulary quizzes. I create a Google Slide deck every day for my class to help me keep track of what I have planned for that day. And while I do think this is still a place for traditional pencil and paper, I love creating digital assignments so I have fewer papers to keep up with. 

6. Campuses - I have worked at three different campuses (in three different districts). Each one of those positions came when I needed it.  I have learned and grown as an educator at each of my previous two campuses, and I know I will do the same at my new campus. 

5. Amazing Admin - I would be lying if I said all of my administrators have been amazing, but I have been lucky enough to have more positive experiences than negative which I know isn't the case for many teachers out there. At my current campus, I am blessed with an amazing administration team that is very hands-on with the students and I love it! The district leadership is also very supportive and is made up of many servant leaders. I have seen my current superintendent on our campus more this semester than I saw my other two in three or five years combined!

4. My Students - Where would any teacher be without their students? They are the reason we do what we do. I have enjoyed watching my students grow and they have helped me learn and grow too. I am especially thankful for my students this year.  Not only am I teaching an age I have never taught before, but I never thought I would teach.  I am very lucky to have a great group of students. They may drive me a little crazy occasionally but overall the good and respectful kids.  Most of them of high achieving too which has helped me adjust since I am coming down from much higher grade levels. 

3. A Environment That Encourages Learning - I love to learn! My brain is happy when it is getting pumped with new information and ideas.  In my spare time, I like to feed my brain through reading, educational YouTube channels, and puzzles. I don't care what I am learning about, I just want to learn.  If I do not challenge my brain on a regular basis I become depressed. Luckily for me, I work in an environment that does not only encourage ongoing professional learning but demands it. 

2. My Teacher Friends - I could never do this job without my Coworkers.  The hardest part of my teaching career was the first semester of my first year of teaching because I did not have the relationships or support that I needed.  I would eat my lunch in my classroom while working and didn't interact with other teachers frequently.  However, life became much easier once I began to build those relationships, and I make sure to seek them out now. Some of my best friends are teachers I have worked with. They have been my advisors, cheerleaders, counselors, and support.  I am able to vent to them and laugh with them.  They celebrate my success both inside and outside of the classroom.  I still keep in contact with my friends at previous campuses because they have become such an important part of my life. After all, no one knows what a teacher goes through like another teacher.  

1. Supportive Husband - Number one could not have been anything else.  I am blessed to have a wonderful and supportive husband who helps pick up the slack when I am drowning in school work. He puts up with my long hours, or me spending all day on a Saturday doing lesson plans and grading while he cleans the kitchen.  He does more of his share of the cooking, and he often puts two of the three kids to bed because he knows I am spent by the time I have our youngest in bed. 

So what are you thankful for this year?