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Slice of Life


Teaching during January feels like walking through dense fog
I am tired from a short December break and filled with anxiety
as I rush to finish grades to end our first semester

It's easy to get caught up
But I'm working this year to find something positive each day
My students are often these beacons of light

Today, one of my ELL students expressed
"Sometimes I wish I was born in America. Sometimes I don't". This was so profound to me as I often forget how different our schools can be

Some students have never been asked to write about their opinion
I wish I put myself in my student shoes more
Some of them don't understand why we use the tools, the acronyms, the graphic organizers

This comment really stuck me and reminded me the why matters to all our kids
Why are we doing something and why a certain way?
It reminds me that language isn't always the only barrier, but sometimes experience with a subject or even specific type of assignment can be an obstacle

This was a moment where I really listened and am reminded that students can always be great teachers
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Comments

  1. Marilyn MinerJanuary 15, 2019 at 9:49 PM

    Awareness of moments that bring both clarity and questions will serve you well as a teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jlcjbuzzJanuary 15, 2019 at 10:09 PM

    You are wise to listen to your students and pay attention to the clues they are giving you. Your teaching will be all that much more fulfilling for them, as well as for you. You are on a great path.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jennifer LaffinJanuary 16, 2019 at 8:15 PM

    Beautiful! Keep asking your students for their thoughts and opinions. You are building a strong classroom community where every member is valued.

    ReplyDelete

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