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Things I never knew . . .

Installment #3:

Five things I never knew . . . until I became a teacher:

  • how fast grading can accumulate
  • how much grading is involved
  • how easy grading can be (i.e. spelling, mathematical operations)
  • how subjective grading can be (i.e. writing)
  • how much teachers can disagree on a single grade

Teacher Humor

You have to laugh, you have to smile–our lives can be ridiculous, crazy at times.

So here’s something that only teachers “get”:

I carry a permanent marker with me, at all times.

Monthly Advice–January

Start fresh.

***

It’s a new year!

You’re coming back from winter/summer break, depending on where you are in the world. It’s January, it’s 2019. It’s a brand new calendar year. This can be a new start for you, and your kiddos.

The greatest thing about a long break is the energy and life that comes after it. So, the greatest thing we can do as teachers in January is start fresh.

Interpret that as you will:

  • Write a few classroom specific resolutions.
  • Have your students write a few school-centered resolutions.
  • Participate in a deep-clean of the classroom. Get your students involved–make the fresh start tangible, visible.
  • Revise/create new academic goals.
  • Let go. Let go of any lingering doubt, regret, or negative memories. Teaching is hard, being a student is hard–we all have days, lessons, and moments that are less than beautiful, let them go.
  • Redecorate your room.
  • Change all assigned groups.
  • Rearrange furniture.
  • Buy a few new work outfits. 😉

Whatever you do, figure out how to breathe new life into your work. The year, and learning, has begun again, so start fresh. 😁