February 16th, 2014
In the words of the Pointer Sisters, "I'm so excited!" This is my twenty-fifth year of teaching and I literally have a new found passion for teaching this year! I'm like the Re-energizer bunny! Why? I asked my self the same question and here is what I came up with.
First, this year I have one of the best classes of all time. They are just a great group of kids. The twenty-five of us work together very well and we feel like a real family. Their parents are awesome and supportive as well. It's a dream class that any teacher would love to have. This awesome group makes trying out all of my new tricks and ideas really easy. Love it!
Second, I read the book, "Teach Like a Pirate" by Dave Burgess. Our principal, Jay Posick; @posickj, started a staff book club which has ignited some pretty terrific discussion and sharing of ideas. If you haven't read the book already, I highly recommend it. The book will definitely get you thinking on new ways to present your lessons.
Last, and this is the one I keep coming back to...twitter! I just can't say enough about it. It still blows my mind that not every educator on the planet is checking out twitter at least once a day. There are so many opportunities to learn from, share, and participate in on twitter. Not to mention you get to know people and hopefully meet them one day at a conference. That is one of my goals for the ICE conference at the end of February. I am hoping to meet people face-to-face that I have forged a relationship with on twitter. So since not every teacher at my school isn't on twitter yet, I try to lead by example by sharing videos, quotes, and lessons all starting with the words, "I found this on twitter!" I don't think it will ever get old to me that I can learn something from another educator who lives in Honduras...all in a matter of seconds! Or the fact that we can hook up with other fourth-grade classes in Iowa, Maryland, and Georgia on World Read Aloud Day. Absolutely mind blowing. If you're not on twitter, you can check out my video called, "Twitter Today" and hopefully you will be inspired to at least check it out and give it a try. What do you have to lose? http://animoto.com/play/wTSlUW7uQSHTOxPzjfYSxg
In closing I would like to say, no matter if this is your first, fourteenth, or fortieth year of teaching I hope you are excited about your teaching. If not, surround yourself with people who are. After all, excitement is contagious! Have a great rest of the year.
P.S. Did you get a twitter account yet? No? What are you waiting for? :)
