Thursday, December 30, 2010

Don't Let This Moment of Clarity End

Dear Self,

You know what you need to do and how to do it. Rid yourself of all of the ridiculous roadblocks that inhibit you this school year. If you can't get rid of them, ignore them in hopes that they will go away. Prioritize:
1. Teach your students.
2. Write curriculum and participate in PD when it will help you teach better. (psst...remember, you're a teacher, right?)
3. When you are called to do something that is other than the first two things, think, "Did I take care of my first two priorities before I take on this one? Will this task help me with my first two priorities?"

If the answer to that question is, "NO!" then let someone else do it. You have a baby girl who needs your time and attention and love when you are not at work. In order to properly teach your students, most of the time you set aside for work outside your workday needs to be in preparation for your own students. If you don't do this, then you must sacrifice more time with your lovely daughter, just to help others in your school building. This does not help you to be prepared for your first priority, forget even doing the second well. The other priorities in your work life must somehow be put onto the back-burner or taken care of in some other way. Lead by example, not by writing down what an example should be. Currently, what you know and what you practice are not aligned because you spread yourself too thin!

Self, align your teaching with what your beliefs are and forget everything and everyone else that is unnecessary!

Do it for your sanity, your intellect and your baby!
Love,
You