Hold My Chalk

When we first start out in education we often think that we know what we're doing. We think that we don't need any help and that everything that we need to know we learned in our education classes. It only takes about three days into the job to realize that our college education did not fully prepare us for every single student that we're going to face. It didn't truly prepare us for how we really should deliver a lesson when we have students on five different levels along with multiple types of disruptions. It didn't prepare us to handle all the routines, all the the daily tasks, all the decisions that we have to make.  This isn't intended to disparage any university program, but just an acknowledgement that there is now way for them to fully prepare you for every student and situation you will face.  Experience is the only true way to learn how to handle all of these different types of situations.  So how do we make up for that information gap? That is a chall...

The beginning of the school year has blown past us, and there are countless things you probably did to for the group of students that will be entered your classroom.  Setting up your room, completing you management plan, writing lesson plans, contacting prospective students, reviewing curriculum updates, and the list goes on. All of those are important, but I think there is something that needs to gravitate to the top as you prepare for each year, but also as you navigate through the year. Find your motivation. At the end of the year you may have been worn out, wondering if you should return to the classroom.  You may not have been wondering at all, but you may have been completely drained emotionally, intellectually and physically.  No matter what the case may be, think back to why you felt called to this profession.  Is that still your driving force?  Have you lost sight of it?  If you have forgotten what drew you to this calling, try to find ways to brin...