New Year's Resolutions
Some of us put a lot of thought into New Year's Resolutions. About the time we begin shopping and decorating for Christmas- we also start imagining the most perfect, romantic, fun New Year's Eve and how we will start the new year as a "new me" or a "new us" with our significant other. Others of us wake up on January 1st and hastily decide to take up running, or to throw about all of the leftover booze from the night before and stop hitting the bottle so hard. We decide to get thinner, get happier, and to just generally be better.
I think my teacher friends would agree that New Year's Resolutions do not just happen on January 1st. About the time Target begins swapping the outdoorsy gear for school supplies, we start thinking about the kind of year we want to have- the kind of teacher we will be- the awesome things our students will do and achieve. This is the time we start thinking about how this year can be different...better. Or maybe you have had awesome year after awesome year- and you are just worried that this year can't possibly top the previous 9 amazing years you've had. Either way- you spend your time thinking...wishing...praying for what is to come.
This post is for you. No matter what camp you fall in.
For the sake of understanding- let's swap the term resolution with the idea of goal setting. To me, a resolution all too often means it is an all or nothing deal. I either lost the weight or I didn't. I either ate healthy or I didn't. I either stayed away from binge watching 4 entire seasons of my fave show on Netflix or I didn't---totally not me ;) Goal setting is different and feels more like the constant striving toward what you hope to achieve. It honors approximations and effort no matter how big or small. Goal setting takes pleasure in the baby steps, understanding that small steps and gestures in the right direction are better than standing still.
The new school year is quickly approaching. I've spent many hours in the last week carefully crafting the perfect classroom. Each day I arrive at school with a list of to-do's and without the hustle and buzzing of a classroom full of kids, I am able to check them off one by one and leave for the day feeling accomplished. After just a few long, uninterrupted days- I feel good about my space- a space that, come August 17th, will see me more often than my own home.
As the new school year inches closer, it is easy for me to conceptualize the kind of year I want to have with my students. It's been 4 years since I had a classroom of my own- my own set of students to love on and teach. Each of those 4 years, I debated going back. I missed my own space and yearned for a group of kiddos to call my own. And even though the circumstances of my return to the classroom were less than ideal, and so much of it was out of my control- I am excited. I'm excited to be in my classroom and to visualize the amount of learning, growth, and love that will happen this year. There are so many things I want to accomplish this year professionally. In fact I have been mulling this post over in my head for the last few weeks, trying to figure out how to narrow down my classroom goals. I think I have finally done that.
1. Focus on, preach, and teach grit. Kids are bound to struggle- but too often I found myself providing scaffolds, supports, hints, and tips that make it so my students don't feel the burden of that struggle. Picture it (either with your students or your own children)- you ask them a question or to do a task. They show the first sign of difficulty and you jump in with some of your "professional" guidance. I mean- HELLO- you know what you are doing...why not show they how you would do it? I am guilty of this---so, so guilty. But this year I want to focus on helping my students persevere through the struggle, learn from failures, and problem solve independently. Think about a world where everyone was taught how to do this?! It makes me smile.
2. Foster a love of reading. This is something I always thought I did well. But as demands increase, often the joy factor decreases. This year I want to make time for those beloved read alouds that may have nothing (or everything) to do with our standards and curriculum. I want students to have freedom to choose books- ANY books that make them happy and make them keep coming back for more. A love of reading is directly linked to reading achievement. Sometimes we forget that.
3. Ensure all students feel like THAT student. You know the student that makes you smile when you think about the wonderfully smart, funny, and kind things they did the year you had them? It doesn't matter if it was your first year of teaching (9 years ago) or just last year. The memory of that kiddo makes you remember all of the great things about teaching and restores your faith in the magic of childhood (cue sappy violin music). This year, I want every student to think they are that student. I want them to go home knowing that they are my absolute favorite. I want to remember them for all of the amazing things they do on a daily basis and not for the many, MANY frustrations we may encounter together.
I could go on and on with the goals I have for the year, but instead I want to look at another set of goals. You see teachers live in 2 worlds. We have our work world and our home world. I suppose this is not just teachers and could apply to everyone but I would argue that teachers are some of the most invested, passionate, selfless people who have to constantly navigate worrying, loving, and serving both their at-home family and their school family. So to honor the other important people in my life- I am also setting a few family goals for myself. I think it's important that you do the same.
1. Continue working on my servant's heart. Sometimes I feel like my servant's heart gets checked at the door. I've spent all day helping, teaching, and guiding- my family gets leftovers...whatever measly scraps are left. Usually served with a bad attitude. This year, as students fill my classroom and work becomes exhausting, I want to focus on ensuring I save energy to serve those that mean the absolute most to me. Cooking dinner, playing a game, reading a book...all of these things can show those you love that you have time just for them.
2. Mother/Son Time. Those that have followed our journey closely know that Ryan and I have a unique relationship. Circumstances that are out of either of our control make Ryan more receptive to men. Tyler and him have a natural, easy relationship. Ours takes work. It's frustrating. It's emotionally draining. But this year I want to ensure that I invest in times where it is just Ryan and me- fun things, mundane things---whatever it might be.
3. Marriage is hard work. Movie, books, and commercials sure sugarcoat it. So does Facebook and Instagram. Everywhere you look, there are perfect couples in perfect houses with their perfect families. It's a nerve wrecking standard that is impossible to live up to. Our marriage is messy. It's flawed. It's sometimes loud, and chaotic. But it's ours. This year I'll focus on our strengths without downplaying the struggle. I'll look for little ways to remind him that I am here for the next 100 years- good, bad, or otherwise. I'll consistently remind him that he- we- are worth the hard days.
4. Health- you couldn't possibly think I wouldn't include a goal about food and fitness :) It is so, SO easy to lose track of your own well being when the new year begins. It starts out with a handful of candy from the stash you have in your desk, then a donut from the lounge. At home you are too tired to go running or to the gym. Before you know it- you are looking at yourself in the mirror or trying to zip the pants you just bought in August and you are NOT HAPPY. I don't have a specific goal for the new year when it comes to food and fitness- I just want to stay on the journey I have been on the last 6 months- make the healthiest choices I can as often as I can.
Goal setting is important- but so is putting your goals out there for the world to see. Then, the best thing you can do is to surround yourself with people who will remind you of your goals, celebrate your progress, and root for you when the going gets tough. Because Lordy---there will be tough times. But there will also be a lot of joy and soon enough you'll be ready for a new set of goals built on the foundation laid by accomplishing this first set.
What are your goals for the "new" year?
PS: Here is my ultimate goal :)
I think my teacher friends would agree that New Year's Resolutions do not just happen on January 1st. About the time Target begins swapping the outdoorsy gear for school supplies, we start thinking about the kind of year we want to have- the kind of teacher we will be- the awesome things our students will do and achieve. This is the time we start thinking about how this year can be different...better. Or maybe you have had awesome year after awesome year- and you are just worried that this year can't possibly top the previous 9 amazing years you've had. Either way- you spend your time thinking...wishing...praying for what is to come.
This post is for you. No matter what camp you fall in.
For the sake of understanding- let's swap the term resolution with the idea of goal setting. To me, a resolution all too often means it is an all or nothing deal. I either lost the weight or I didn't. I either ate healthy or I didn't. I either stayed away from binge watching 4 entire seasons of my fave show on Netflix or I didn't---totally not me ;) Goal setting is different and feels more like the constant striving toward what you hope to achieve. It honors approximations and effort no matter how big or small. Goal setting takes pleasure in the baby steps, understanding that small steps and gestures in the right direction are better than standing still.
The new school year is quickly approaching. I've spent many hours in the last week carefully crafting the perfect classroom. Each day I arrive at school with a list of to-do's and without the hustle and buzzing of a classroom full of kids, I am able to check them off one by one and leave for the day feeling accomplished. After just a few long, uninterrupted days- I feel good about my space- a space that, come August 17th, will see me more often than my own home.
As the new school year inches closer, it is easy for me to conceptualize the kind of year I want to have with my students. It's been 4 years since I had a classroom of my own- my own set of students to love on and teach. Each of those 4 years, I debated going back. I missed my own space and yearned for a group of kiddos to call my own. And even though the circumstances of my return to the classroom were less than ideal, and so much of it was out of my control- I am excited. I'm excited to be in my classroom and to visualize the amount of learning, growth, and love that will happen this year. There are so many things I want to accomplish this year professionally. In fact I have been mulling this post over in my head for the last few weeks, trying to figure out how to narrow down my classroom goals. I think I have finally done that.
1. Focus on, preach, and teach grit. Kids are bound to struggle- but too often I found myself providing scaffolds, supports, hints, and tips that make it so my students don't feel the burden of that struggle. Picture it (either with your students or your own children)- you ask them a question or to do a task. They show the first sign of difficulty and you jump in with some of your "professional" guidance. I mean- HELLO- you know what you are doing...why not show they how you would do it? I am guilty of this---so, so guilty. But this year I want to focus on helping my students persevere through the struggle, learn from failures, and problem solve independently. Think about a world where everyone was taught how to do this?! It makes me smile.
2. Foster a love of reading. This is something I always thought I did well. But as demands increase, often the joy factor decreases. This year I want to make time for those beloved read alouds that may have nothing (or everything) to do with our standards and curriculum. I want students to have freedom to choose books- ANY books that make them happy and make them keep coming back for more. A love of reading is directly linked to reading achievement. Sometimes we forget that.
3. Ensure all students feel like THAT student. You know the student that makes you smile when you think about the wonderfully smart, funny, and kind things they did the year you had them? It doesn't matter if it was your first year of teaching (9 years ago) or just last year. The memory of that kiddo makes you remember all of the great things about teaching and restores your faith in the magic of childhood (cue sappy violin music). This year, I want every student to think they are that student. I want them to go home knowing that they are my absolute favorite. I want to remember them for all of the amazing things they do on a daily basis and not for the many, MANY frustrations we may encounter together.
I could go on and on with the goals I have for the year, but instead I want to look at another set of goals. You see teachers live in 2 worlds. We have our work world and our home world. I suppose this is not just teachers and could apply to everyone but I would argue that teachers are some of the most invested, passionate, selfless people who have to constantly navigate worrying, loving, and serving both their at-home family and their school family. So to honor the other important people in my life- I am also setting a few family goals for myself. I think it's important that you do the same.
1. Continue working on my servant's heart. Sometimes I feel like my servant's heart gets checked at the door. I've spent all day helping, teaching, and guiding- my family gets leftovers...whatever measly scraps are left. Usually served with a bad attitude. This year, as students fill my classroom and work becomes exhausting, I want to focus on ensuring I save energy to serve those that mean the absolute most to me. Cooking dinner, playing a game, reading a book...all of these things can show those you love that you have time just for them.
2. Mother/Son Time. Those that have followed our journey closely know that Ryan and I have a unique relationship. Circumstances that are out of either of our control make Ryan more receptive to men. Tyler and him have a natural, easy relationship. Ours takes work. It's frustrating. It's emotionally draining. But this year I want to ensure that I invest in times where it is just Ryan and me- fun things, mundane things---whatever it might be.
3. Marriage is hard work. Movie, books, and commercials sure sugarcoat it. So does Facebook and Instagram. Everywhere you look, there are perfect couples in perfect houses with their perfect families. It's a nerve wrecking standard that is impossible to live up to. Our marriage is messy. It's flawed. It's sometimes loud, and chaotic. But it's ours. This year I'll focus on our strengths without downplaying the struggle. I'll look for little ways to remind him that I am here for the next 100 years- good, bad, or otherwise. I'll consistently remind him that he- we- are worth the hard days.
4. Health- you couldn't possibly think I wouldn't include a goal about food and fitness :) It is so, SO easy to lose track of your own well being when the new year begins. It starts out with a handful of candy from the stash you have in your desk, then a donut from the lounge. At home you are too tired to go running or to the gym. Before you know it- you are looking at yourself in the mirror or trying to zip the pants you just bought in August and you are NOT HAPPY. I don't have a specific goal for the new year when it comes to food and fitness- I just want to stay on the journey I have been on the last 6 months- make the healthiest choices I can as often as I can.
Goal setting is important- but so is putting your goals out there for the world to see. Then, the best thing you can do is to surround yourself with people who will remind you of your goals, celebrate your progress, and root for you when the going gets tough. Because Lordy---there will be tough times. But there will also be a lot of joy and soon enough you'll be ready for a new set of goals built on the foundation laid by accomplishing this first set.
What are your goals for the "new" year?
PS: Here is my ultimate goal :)
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