I've been working hard to get somewhere--a place of comfort and skill at teaching, one that I could see but not embrace.
It feels like I'm closer at the moment--it's a simple "closer" characterized by the following:
- Guiding posters on the walls that lead our collective learning
- Websites and collaborative documents that inform and guide the learning team
- Comfortable chairs and classroom set-up that welcomes the learning team
- A blended learning environment that utilizes multiple tools and processes to serve children well
- A committed grade-level team of classroom teachers and specialists who meet regularly to choreograph our time and efforts with regard to student service.
- A solid knowledge of my students, who they are and the inquiry ahead with regard to their needs, interests, and passions.
- Time to do the job well given my less-demanding home schedule and responsibilities
- Energy, health, support
- In-school support for multiple new and worthy initiatives
- An understanding of goals not yet met or even understood in some cases
It's been a double-time pace to get to this place--a pace of reading a lot, writing, thinking, questioning, challenging, reaching, risking, dreaming. . . .
Challenges will continue to arise, and the "bumpy road of learning" will continue, but it seems like, right now, I can slow down, listen, hear, and respond in ways that matter.
At home, with older children, that's what I've done this week. My husband and I slowed it down. We were present, and guided/supported when needed. Now at school I want to do the same.
At every juncture, I have the same feeling, a sense of promise and a wondering about the challenges and good times that await--it never goes exactly as planned, but hopefully the more I shore up my travel skills, the better I'll journey this road of teaching and learning well.
