Back
to School
It is that time of
year that we are all working to get ready for kids; from setting class lists,
organizing classroom libraries, to sitting in professional development in hopes
of gleaning a bit of knowledge to help our kids. For me I compare
it to the feeling I get at Christmas, the anticipation for what is to
come. Every year I feel the same way, I am going to make a difference, I am
going to be the teacher that gets that one student to pass the state test for
the first time, I am going to be the teacher that gets that student to have
confidence in their own skills.
At the
beginning of every year I have the same confidence I did in August of 2004; it never
falters and I hope it never does. I know I have “pie in the sky” dreams that
some will look at and say those aren’t realistic goals. It doesn’t matter; I
will reach every kid! It may look different than it did in 2004. I may not
fully attain my goal, but I know I have made a difference, and I will never
stop working to help each child reach their potential.
The only
difference is now my focus isn’t just on my kids, but on my teachers as well.
My perspective has broadened. I know we have the best teachers in the district,
state, country- I have seen what you do, I have seen what you get our kids to
do. Now, I think- my teachers are going to reach that student that struggled
last year, my teachers’ kids are going to score the best in the district,
our teachers are going to help our kids show gains, we are going to
be asked “what are you doing that we aren’t?”
Some people say I am
competitive. It is true I am, but if there is one thing that I want even more
than winning myself is for my teachers and kids to win. Learning is not a
Spectator Sport, and we aren't going to let a kid sit by and watch.
