When I was a teacher I used to think that the true measure of "making it" was when I didn't have to spend hours planning or grading or problem solving. One day I would just go to my file cabinet and everything would be ready to go for me, just like clock work.
Fortunately for me, in the first several years of my career, my job would change each year, making it impossible to reuse everything. I could keep something fantastic or tweak a few things and reuse them, but for the most part, I was creating curriculum, lessons, activities and assessments each year. I would change a grade level or have the same students for multiple years, requiring me to keep things fresh and new.
What I didn't know, is that my ever changing experience was preparing me to be the educator I really wanted to be, not what I thought was the pinnacle of success - a complete file cabinet full of ready made materials.
Throughout my 9 year teaching career, I taught a variety of subjects and a variety of student combinations which required me to constantly research and learn and grow. Teaching was hard work. The problem was, I wasn't sure if the results I was getting or the impact I was making was equivalent to the effort I was putting forth.
After meeting Thompson and discovering my passion to re-imagine education, my work finally felt like it made total sense. I was no stranger to hard work, so I have continued to work just as hard, however, my work has been more fulfilling and impactful. The inspired learning that I have witnessed has naturally made me want to work even harder for all of the students and staff.
One thing that I have come to realize and accept...THIS WORK WILL NEVER BE DONE! I am finally comfortable knowing I am on a continuum of learning. Just when I think we are reaching a tipping point of sorts, what I see waiting in the balance is a new tipping point to step push me to the next goal.