So I'm trying to get an article published in a professional teaching journal. I could go on minimizing this (it's just a small yearly journal, teacher reviewed, small publication, etc.) but I won't. My principal, who read the draft before I sent it, told me this: "You don't give yourself enough credit." So here goes: it is a big deal!
I find it a big deal, because I chose to write about something very personal - my teaching. I've always maintained that teaching is incredibly personal. I'm reminded of the scene in Julia Roberts' movie Eric Brokovich, where she is freaking out at her boss. She comes back after being sick and finds new lawyers taking over the case. Her boss (played by Albert Finney) tells her "Its not personal", prompting Erin to yell:
NOT PERSONAL! That is my WORK, my SWEAT, and MY TIME AWAY FROM MY KIDS! IF THAT IS NOT PERSONAL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/quotes?qt=qt0266026
I feel that way about teaching all the time. Here, I have taken this personal - made it more personal by writing about it - then sent it off into the unknown. I'm now in the limbo period of waiting to hear back - will they like it? Will they like me? Did I do good?
Waiting can be brutal...
Now I'm searching for a personal connection to my teaching... as is often the case - perhaps I need to mark things more quickly? Is the waiting as excrutiating for the kids as it is for me?
Like a ship into the night, my work has been sent off. And now I wait.
M.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Investing in Creativity and Innovation
I'm supposed to be writing curriculum resources at this moment. I've been blessed with the opportunity to join a committee writing lessons for teachers, focusing on equity and diversity in the classroom. No small feat.
I find it is a rabbit hole of sorts - the more I read, the more I get inspired, the deeper and further I go - viral learning at its best. I've gone off on many tangents, been distracted (Hey! I can get Facebook at the board office!), been inspired. It is teaching me again and again that I need to teach my students the ability to manage information. Teach them to navigate the incredible amount of information, mis-information, distraction, filler - teach them to create and be innovative amid all that chaos.
Which makes be thankful that my board is investing in me. I've been given the precious gift of time to create and be innovative. Now, there may be no such thing and anything new - but I am able to spend time climbing up on the shoulders of giants to see further than I have ever seen before. Amid my caffeine fuelled wandering I am able to pluck, shine and present a couple of really good gems. Plus the time to network ain't bad either!
So here again is the power of time, collaboration, access to information... take your pick. It all works in order to be creative and innovative!
M.
I find it is a rabbit hole of sorts - the more I read, the more I get inspired, the deeper and further I go - viral learning at its best. I've gone off on many tangents, been distracted (Hey! I can get Facebook at the board office!), been inspired. It is teaching me again and again that I need to teach my students the ability to manage information. Teach them to navigate the incredible amount of information, mis-information, distraction, filler - teach them to create and be innovative amid all that chaos.
Which makes be thankful that my board is investing in me. I've been given the precious gift of time to create and be innovative. Now, there may be no such thing and anything new - but I am able to spend time climbing up on the shoulders of giants to see further than I have ever seen before. Amid my caffeine fuelled wandering I am able to pluck, shine and present a couple of really good gems. Plus the time to network ain't bad either!
So here again is the power of time, collaboration, access to information... take your pick. It all works in order to be creative and innovative!
M.
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