On some days, teaching feels invigorating and I feel like most, not all, but most of my lessons are a hit. On other days, days like today where I feel drained at the thought of staying at school fro 12 hours for parent teacher conferences, I feel like the day drags. I try to reflect back on days like these and rewind moments in my mind. How could I have handled the issue with that particular student differently? What students am I giving attention to and who is someone that could use extra support or a brief conversation? Las year, in my first year of teaching, I found my rewinds were often negative, " I should've done this differently". This year, I'm trying hard to find the positive moments, what did a student say that made me laugh? Who did I connect with today that I now know a little better? Days like today where I'm tired and drained and feeling like I'm running on empty, it isn't easy to feel positive but I know how much a kind gesture or comment from a colleague means to me, so I try my best to extend that to my students as well. I try to greet my students at the door and say goodbye to them at the end of each class. Who knows if this makes a difference? But here's to trying.
On some days, teaching feels invigorating and I feel like most, not all, but most of my lessons are a hit. On other days, days like today where I feel drained at the thought of staying at school fro 12 hours for parent teacher conferences, I feel like the day drags. I try to reflect back on days like these and rewind moments in my mind. How could I have handled the issue with that particular student differently? What students am I giving attention to and who is someone that could use extra support or a brief conversation? Las year, in my first year of teaching, I found my rewinds were often negative, " I should've done this differently". This year, I'm trying hard to find the positive moments, what did a student say that made me laugh? Who did I connect with today that I now know a little better? Days like today where I'm tired and drained and feeling like I'm running on empty, it isn't easy to feel positive but I know how much a kind gesture or comment from a colleague means to me, so I try my best to extend that to my students as well. I try to greet my students at the door and say goodbye to them at the end of each class. Who knows if this makes a difference? But here's to trying.
I think a personal connection always makes a difference. You are showing your students they matter. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteIt makes a difference whether the rewinds are positive or negative. Focusing on the positive allows to build resilience. Greeting and saying goodbye to the students shows that you care and respect your students and I am sure that the students feel it.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. Yesterday was one of those day for me...draining, running on empty. I'm taking a Positive Educator Course and it's changing the way I think entirely! Something I'm really taking away is that we're not striving for more positivity and less negativity...but we're trying to learn how to deal with the negative that is inevitable. Bad days don't mean you're failing, they mean you're human! Treat yourself to some self-care today!
ReplyDeleteI applaud your efforts to make the positives so loud that the negatives go away! You and your students will all be better for it! And you might not see that you are being a positive role model for your students - which many don't have in their homes. It's so easy to think of the negative - what you are doing will pay off for both you and your students!
ReplyDeleteAs humans, we do tend to focus on that which we could have, should have. As a teacher, you are practicing a much needed skill - seeing what went well. Keep it up! And good luck with conferences. Mine are all day tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI like how you're making an effort to focus on the positive moments throughout your day. As I was reading about how tired you are, I can completely relate! My blog post today is an acrostic poem about TIRED lol I'm sure your students are grateful that they have you there to greet them and say good-bye to them! :)
ReplyDelete