Living Through a Lens

Well hello there! It has been a LONG time... too long. I have had a lot of thoughts running through my mind, but haven't been able to put them into words. On top of that, I have been traveling a lot. I spent spring break in Indianapolis with great friends. The following weekend I was on a trip to Washington D.C. with a group of kids from school. This weekend, I directed our spring play. Needless to say, it's been busy. All of the experiences were extremely rewarding, leaving me feeling very blessed. My busyness will not stop there as we make our way through track season and the last quarter of the year... crazy to say!

As I traveled, I watched people taking pictures. Of course, I was right there with them, capturing moments, monuments, and scenes on my phone and with my camera. It was in the middle of doing so that I realized that I wasn't really even looking. I was only seeing the views through the lens of my camera. While doing so, I was missing out on life. I stood back to see my students with their iPhones in hand, discussing how much battery was left, and missing out on what they were actually taking pictures of. This was an observation that I have been thinking about ever since I returned home. Are we really seeing what is out there, or are we living through a lens?

Food for thought... Happy Sunday :-)

Knowledgable Skills

Knowledge is power. It's something we have been told all along. Not only is knowledge powerful, but it's also incredibly sexy. We are intrigued by those that have acquired a lot of knowledge, been extraordinary places, and share incredible experiences. But what about those who don't have those opportunities? Are they unable to have that sexy, knowledgable appeal?

In education, we have always focused on knowledge. How to find the best ways to ensure students KNOW the material. What they KNOW for the test. While there is a lot of value in students obtaining as much knowledge as possible, I would say that there is a shift in this way of thinking. 

Our students have changed. Many people are uncomfortable with this, some even turning their heads to the changes. This is only doing a disservice to our students. The fact is, people can obtain knowledge within minutes. It's this crazy little thing called Google. Yep. It doesn't take long to figure out when the Declaration of Independence was written. I can figure out within seconds who ran for president in 1860. That knowledge is right at my fingertips. So, do we do away with teaching these facts in the classroom? Not necessarily. We shift our way of teaching. Now the focus must be on teaching the skills to obtain this knowledge. HOW do I find things out? WHERE do I go to find that information? Some may think this sounds lazy, but it's the world we live in. It has changed, and we must too. 

Changes Aren't Always Comfortable

I have had the opportunity to attend some enriching professional development workshops over the past few weeks. The days do get long. My brain is generally fried, and my butt is mostly numb, but I have found myself "professionally developed." For those of you who are not teachers, I won't bore you with crazy acronyms or the latest buzz words in the educational world. What I will tell you is something you may already know - every student deserves a rich education. The ways that we get there are long and difficult for some. As a teacher, it is my job to give each student the gift of being a life-long learner. This is something that excites me beyond words. I have the most complex and rewarding job on the planet, and I love it.

What I really wanted to share about today is the idea of change. There are many changes going on right now in the field of eduction. As you may know, we are adopting the Common Core to ensure that when students leave our schools they are career and college ready. A pretty difficult task, huh? Yes... and extremely important.

What I have found in talking to other teachers is fear. Yep, many of us are afraid of change. Old strategies and lessons are going to have to be forgotten and replaced. These changes can be uncomfortable. We may feel like we are failing at first, but eventually they will benefit the needs of our students. Why change? Because it's what is in the best interest of our students. It's not about the teachers, not about their comfort. It's about our duty to provide the best possible education for each student that walks into our classrooms. They all deserve a chance.

It's time for teachers to step aside and place the needs of our students before our own. No, changes are not always comfortable, but they are often worth it.

Good Things

- belly laughs
- my grandma's quilt
- when I know my students "get it"
- the gift of time
- eight hours of sleep
- the smell of an old book
- long phone conversations
- clean sheets
- the feeling after a long run
- country music on a slow summer night
- the stillness of lake water
- my sister's paintings
- a smile from a stranger
- a smile from anyone
- hot tea
- long visits with my mom
- the promise of tomorrow
- fresh flowers
- leggings and chunky sweaters
- bear hugs
- checking things off my to-do list
- my dad's giggle
- the feeling of knowing I'm right where I need to be
- love