Wednesday morning:
Just pinned this to staff notice board-a lesson for us all. pic.twitter.com/gAmk0oynrw
— Julian S Wood (@Ideas_Factory) March 14, 2014
Well, it finally hit. A bout of homesickness. For me, at least.
There are a couple of challenging classes that make me wonder where my 23 years experience with classroom management has gone. The persuasive restitution-based strategies I have successfully employed back home for the last 12 years seem completely ineffective (so far) and I’ve had to revisit strategies I haven’t used since my first few years in the classroom.
So today was one of those days – a few challenging classes in a row then, on my break, I happen to flip through some photos from home. The familiar images with the unseen, but intimately felt context outside the picture’s frame, filled with warm memories stirred up the emotions.
But every day there is plenty that makes me smile thinking about where I am, what I’m doing, how fabulous this opportunity is for me and my family. And, to be fair, relationships are harder to form with some kids when they know you’re leaving at the end of the year. I knew it would be a challenge, and that it would be like starting fresh again. As difficult as things are at times, I have no regrets, and it won’t kill me, and I’ll be a better teacher for it.
(now keep repeating until you’ve convinced yourself! 😉
Wednesday afternoon
Well, I pulled myself together and had a fabulous class with a smaller group where we all brought our desks together and just did math for 40 minutes – figuring things out, working equations, visiting, helping each other. IT WAS AWESOME!! I told the students that when I found out I’d be here teaching math that THIS was what I dreamed of – gathered around learning together.
One of them said, “Awww, we made sir’s dream come true! High-five, everyone”
What a joy. I love it.
