Gearing up!

As I'm sitting here reflecting on the process that we're learning to create meaningful goals and unit plans for my school year, I am thinking about all the things I admire about the teachers I've had in the past. I think that in order for me to truly be an effective teacher this year for my students, I need to spend some time reflecting on what they did that made them so great in my eyes. I remember in Kindergarten, I forgot to bring something for show-n-tell. I was a fairly creative child, at least I like to think of it as creative and not odd. I was looking all around for something I could show, and I noticed that my shirt had a very sparkly button. My teacher called on me and I proceeded to show and tell the class about my sparkly button. Did my teacher stop me? No. Did she tell me I didn't have anything to show and that I needed to sit down and remember to bring something next time? No. She let me share. I can't believe I still remember that. While I don't really remember much about 1st grade, my parents do. That was the year I learned to read. It wasn't magic. Miss Steiger (now Mrs. Wynn) didn't wave her magic wand over me and I just got it. I can only imagine the strategic planning that went into teaching me life's most important skill of reading. Phonics, comprehension, engagement, spelling, and the list goes on. Thanks to Ms. Undernehr for keeping me on the learning track even when my mind was distraced on the dreamy Bradley Ward. Even in 2nd grade, I was a little boy crazy. Now I'm proud to say that I worked as a colleague with Ms. Undernehr, and she looks exactly as I remember her back then. In 3rd grade, Mrs. Nugent figured out our interests. If anyone knew what a 3rd grader likes, she did. I remember the day she brought in a special guest who brought snakes, and we actually got to hold some of them. From that moment on, I've always been interested in snakes and can't wait till the next time I get to hold one. In 4th grade, I remember reading Hank the Cowdog with Mrs. Menardi. It was the first chapter book I actually remember reading, and I couldn't put it down. Even in 4th grade, she read out loud to us every day and I can't wait to do the same in my own classroom. Now here I am, a 4th teacher. It's hard to believe that these teachers were able to make something of my hyper, talk-too-much, boy-crazy self, but they loved me. I remember that more than anything. They took the time to get to know me and form relationships with me. Because of each year with them, I was able to grow as a learner and eventually graduate from college. Why I chose teaching? I'd love to say that it was all because of them. But that wouldn't be entirely true. When I decided to become a teacher, it was because I felt confident in my ability to do something that I am passionate about. Teachers are the foundation of that. When I walk into my classroom in 2 weeks, I hope that I can find out what my students are excited about and show them all that they can accomplish. I know it's cheesy, but isn't that the most important thing? To help the child believe they can do whatever they want if they push through. Thanks for reading through my thoughts, and thank you to all teachers who push their students above average and help them succeed.