Reflecting

toy camera- Lukas Bergmark

So. 10 lessons later…how do i feel? Pretty good. i’ve always seen lesson planning as a hassle, a nuisance, and a complete wast of time. i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again–no one has time to read a five page lesson plan! But i must admit; lesson planning is essential. An old cooperating teaching of mine once told me that if you’ve planned the night before, it’ll flow. Don’t plan and you’re asking for disaster. i didn’t plan once. i tired to wing it. Well guess what? My wings are just not that big enough yet. Practice, practice, practice. One day my wings will grow, i’ll mature, and i’ll be able to teach a lesson without a plan.

But for now i’ll have to survive off the wisdom of others. That same cooperating teacher who has inspired and helped me along also gave me a reality check–a book, “First year Teacher” wit and wisdom from teachers who’ve been there. One of the first quotes reads

It’s like having a hundred balls thrown
at you all at once and someone just says,’Catch!’

fourth-grade teacher, New York, NY

Teaching isn’t simple! It never has been, and i’m sure it isn’t getting easier. Keeping up with the material, staying ‘modern’, and feeding the needs of today’s children is tough–but it’s worth it. This accumulation of lessons is just one of the ways that a teacher can keep in touch with the kids and be on their level. i must admit that it brings back fond memories when i think of old teaching methods, listening to songs on cassettes, watching movies on vhs, holding a big camera….good old days. But we can’t be living in the past. Teaching is not about teachers…it’s about students. That’s why i haven’t capitalized any of my i’s…

it’s not about me, it’s about Them.