Not everyone will agree with me on this – but I feel it must be said. I have been a teacher for 20 years and I’ve been through some changes believe me. I think we have gone through about 10 {at least} writing programs. We have been taught everything from PAT time to Whole Brain Teaching. ( which I love by the way ) I have taught first grade most of these years and let me tell you that is a hard grade to teach…but it may be the most rewarding!
What do I mean by the title of my post?!? Well I have seen the teachers that don’t seem to have a care in the world…I’m not sure how ‘invested’ they are in their work ~ their students. That’s not the type of teacher I am! I wake up in the middle of the night and keep a notebook by my bed of ideas/strategies I can use in the classroom. ( weird?!? maybe ) I tutor my low guys on modified days for free because I know they need that extra bit and probably aren’t getting it at home. I pray for every kid on my list before school starts and throughout the year. My heart rejoices with them when they have reached a goal in school or outside of school. My heart also aches for them when they are hurting/sick/sad.
I have met so many wonderful, talented and dedicated teachers here throughout my journey with this blog – it makes me so happy. Our world is full of hurting kids, families and burnout people in general. When I visit your blogs and read how passionate all of you are it reignites my love for teaching and keeps me encouraged. All seems well with the world again.
Teaching is hard ~ if we are doing it right. We research ( on pinterest ) LOL and that is time sucking people! :oD
We try to improve our practices for the kids sake. We either make or FIND (on TPT) better resources to help our kids understand and learn and grow. Thank you to all of you I have met along the way – either at bloggy meet ups or I’ve become bff’s with even though I have never met you in person. Thank you for loving kids like my own that come to school each day. The world is a better place because of teachers that get it and really care! I can’t wait to meet or reacquaint with all of you in Vegas! TPT teacher/bloggers ROCK!!!! How do you stay inspired???
This is a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing!
Katie 🙂
KTP: Keep Teaching and Planning!
Vickie this post is so spot on! I don't think I could go back to teaching "before blogs" because it has renewed my spirit and love of teaching. I'm so inspired by people just like you! Thank you!!!
Love this post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts–they are so true! I really only think teachers understand the "True Story: I am a Teacher" lifestyle!
You are amazing!! Keep doing what you're doing!
Great post. I agree, I don't sleep during the school year because I am waking up during the night with my mind racing or worrying about my students. It is not a profession for the weak!
Love your post!
Linda
Down the Learning Road
AMEN Vicky! Love this post and love you…You nailed it. 🙂
Christy & Tammy
Well put! I so agree! I'm a week into vacation and working hard on multiple projects for next year and the list just keeps growing. After all these years the fun (and work) never ends!
Amen! I totally agree. It is a lot of hard work. You can't just "show up" to class unprepared (believe me I've been there when they cancel ELD or RTI and I've got nothing prepared to replace it). I'm spending my summer reading about WBT, The Daily 5, as well as looking over the two HUGE binders our district gave us as the "new curriculum for now" (Engage NY). It is truly daunting!