If I Could Go Back

Sometimes songs can really grab onto you or come at just that right time when you need to hear them most. Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me” is one of those that just wouldn’t let go recently. That thought of being able to write a letter to tell your younger self about what is really important in life hits so close to home. There are so many things I wish I had known as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend. But, I’ll save those for another day.

Right now, I wish I could go back to let myself know that one of the best things I could do as a young teacher is to Be Flexible and Be Ready to Learn... Every Day.

Near the end of a recent visit with my Great Aunt, I mentioned that I needed to go home and get busy with my lesson plans for the week. She commented, “You’ve been doing this long enough, don’t you have it figured out by now.” I laughed and told her that every time I think I do, they change the rules.

The teaching profession changes and grows constantly. Every year, schools and districts add new initiatives to a teacher’s plate.  Sure, if you are around long enough, some trends do come back around- Back to Basics, Book Clubs, Thematic Units, Portfolio Assessments-to name but a few. As a teacher you will experience many bandwagon initiatives. In an article by Stephen Hurley called, “Trends in Education: How They Come and Go”, he says this about bandwagon initiatives, “Oh, they may get conversations going but it has been my experience that, before long, the energy will have shifted, and the district will be on the hunt for the next best thing.” Don’t get me wrong, many of these initiatives have helped my students to learn, grow, and be very successful over the years. But, sometimes teachers can feel overwhelmed.

So, what is a teacher to do? Take a deep breath, have conversations with colleagues and administration, and always keep what is best for the kids in mind when making decisions.  Don’t let yourself get so caught up in trends, that you don’t allow yourself to grow. Trends, strategies, and curriculums all fit a certain time and aspect of teaching, but they are not necessarily “the bible” of teaching. In education, “the bible” needs to be a growing, living document that must adjust to fit the needs of your current students. What worked in the past, may not work now. Teachers must be flexible and willing to make changes all the time. Look upon change as an opportunity to add tools to your craft and art of teaching.

Start with your colleagues. Veteran teachers talk to those younger teachers, and younger teachers talk to the veterans. Ask questions, observe each other, beg, borrow and collaborate. The knowledge you can learn from your own colleagues is irreplaceable. But remember to also share your ideas!

In our digital society, now more than ever, teachers have the ability to grow as learners themselves. Blogs, Facebook groups, twitter pages, and websites add new information and ideas by the minute. Find a resource that speaks to your grade level or content area, and learn something new that you can put into practice in your classroom right now. Stretch beyond your comfort level, because you may find that what you thought was difficult, helps your kids be far more successful in the end.

Another thing you should do is read, read, and read some more. Regular books, printed on paper, are still a great resource for teachers. Research the popular authors on teaching strategies and begin a habit of reading them, starting now. You will be thankful in the long run. These tools will make you think, stretch your abilities, and make you a better a teacher.

At the start of my 29th year of teaching, I read, “Learn Like a Pirate” by Paul Solarz. I was encouraged to take risks and let my students lead the classroom. This concept took me far out of my comfort zone, but I gave it a try. Guess what, it worked far better than I could have imagined. My students are growing as learners and leaders every day. The ideas in this book are one of the key things that made me realize how much I have grown since I first began teaching. But more importantly, they made me realize how much I still have to learn. I look back on those early years and remember how I thought I was a pretty good teacher. Well, now I know that being a great teacher means being flexible, learning, taking risks, and growing...every day! One day, I hope I have pushed myself far enough to be a great teacher!

What do you know now that you wish you could have told yourself on your first day of teaching?