2023 Resolution Check

In January I posted a set of teacher resolutions for the year.

For many teachers, the academic year is either half over, or nearing it’s end. For the rest of us, the calendar year is approaching its halfway point. So, given the time of year — whether academic or calendar — I thought it important to revisit my teacher-resolutions.

On my list were:

Make a schedule, and stick to it, for writing here on C is for Camacho
- Still working on this one . . .
Renew all education licenses
- One state’s worth of licenses were renewed at the end of 2022, the other state’s license I decided not to renew . . .
Attend an educational conference
- Thanks to my current role, it looks like I will have to attend a conference in Salvador, Brazil–so: in progress!
Take one class or training on a subject, methodology, or technology tool that has interested me in the past year
- I have not done this yet, but I also feel like moving to a whole new country has occupied all my time for learning new things. So: sort of done?
Continue to expand my educational profile/resume
- I took a job in another country. I am absolutely expanding my educational range and resume.

As you can see, I am making some progress. I am meeting some originally intended goals.

At the same time, I have made some revisions. No one is beholden to their original plan because plans cannot be complete in their original form. Things change. I have adapted accordingly.

I think it’s important to circle-back, to hold oneself accountable. I enjoy reflecting on what I thought this year would be like, versus what it actually looks like–but what about you? How’s your year going? Any resolutions–teacher or otherwise–you’d like to share about? What did you meet, adjust, or remove altogether?

Teaching & Living Abroad: Brazil 🇧🇷

Roughly two years ago, I shared that I was starting a new chapter, and a long-held teaching and personal dream: living and working abroad.

I moved to Turkey for one job, and it didn’t work out as expected. I got another role in Turkey, and that role ultimately floundered as well. It was quite the turn-of-events.

Leading up to my move to Turkey, I felt that I was about to embark on something life-changing. I was going to move and live abroad for years, maybe forever. I really felt it in my soul. Six months later I was back home.

It was an adventure to say the least. Was it difficult? Yes. Would I do it again? I don’t know.

I enjoyed being a tourist and the opportunity to travel while between jobs, but uprooting myself, disrupting my routine and my career, just to be back to square one (just six months later)–I don’t know if I could do that again . . .

Fast forward two years, I was applying to live and work abroad again. But this time I was applying with experience, with knowledge of what went wrong previously, and a list of non-negotiables.

It came down to two opportunities: one in South Korea 🇰🇷, one in Brazil 🇧🇷.

In June of 2022 I signed to begin a life in Brazil 🇧🇷 –start date: February 2023. In the ensuing six months I was cautious. I tried not to put so much weight or pressure on myself, or this opportunity. I knew from experience that anything could change, anything could fall through.

Well, 2023 is here, and I have been in Brazil 🇧🇷 for 3 months. It hasn’t been easy; it’s actually been the most difficult cultural and language adjustment to date for me. But I’m doing it.

I once shared that it is a risk and a privilege to do something like this, to move abroad, to live abroad, to work abroad. Moving away from everything familiar takes gumption. Tremendous courage. Doing it again, when the first time didn’t work out, takes even more gumption, even more courage.

I don’t know if I made the right decision–Brazil 🇧🇷 over South Korea 🇰🇷. I don’t know if this is the best career move. I do know that trying again was brave, that pursuing a dream is brave, and that just as I want my students to be brave, so too must I be brave . . .

Publication–

As previously shared, I enjoy writing, and I write–from time to time–on Medium. I have been included on Educate before, a publication on Medium, and about a year ago I wrote this piece, and it was featured in Educate. I am always humbled when my work is recognized and included in this space.

Now, with my current discussions for Women’s History Month in full-swing, and Florida in the news once again, the legislation and this article popped up in my head, and it occurred to me that I hadn’t shared this publication here. This article remains relevant–a year later.

While it is a bit outdated in the sense that the bill has passed, and is currently expected to expand, it remains relevant as a discussion point for what is intended and what is the actual outcome–for students, staff, and our collective future; I hope you like it.

March: Women’s History Month

This Women’s History Month I will be participating in a 5-part series dedicated to different topics concerning women and gender, women’s history and women’s present.

Last Thursday was a joy, so I’m inviting you to our next session! I hope to see you there!

New Look/Additions

As mentioned in my 2023 resolutions, I am making a concerted effort to expand my educational profile and resume.

So, sticking to these resolutions, I am happy to announce a new page on this website — Writing and Editing Services.

This page has slowly been developed, edited, and revamped since the new calendar year. And, I plan to add more to it. I imagine I will add even more as questions trickle in, as the work evolves, as I grow professionally as well.

Now, I have always enjoyed the writing process.

I am *that* person–the person that enjoys rereading a paper, that enjoys discussing a paper, that enjoys going through the entirety of the revision and editing process to get to the polished draft. I was *that* teacher–the teacher that enjoyed teaching the mechanics of writing, that encouraged writing, that wanted to include more writing. In this way, it is no surprise that once I took some writing and editing classes for fun, I ended up with a certification and a desire to write and edit full-time. I’m not quite at full-time yet, but perhaps with this page I’ll get closer to that dream 😉

With that stellar introduction, make your way over to Writing and Editing Services — like the page, share with a friend, add a comment on what more I can add!