Real Talk
So, turns out 2021-2022 was another uniquely challenging (ahem, dumpster fire) school year. Many of us endured temporary COVID shutdowns, destructive TikTok trends, poor student behavior, glitches in our standardized testing procedures, and the horrific news of yet another school shooting. Finally, we finished out the year with multiple resignations nationwide, and many schools had to begin the new year with some of those positions left unfilled. Bringing back what we had pre-pandemic seemed bleak at best.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things about education in America that I have little control over–things like class size, micro-management, and teacher pay. But now feels like the time to take control of those things I can change. To be honest, if I asked, maybe not all of these changes would meet the approval of my administration, but I’m in an “it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission” place in my career right now.
To be clear, I’m not advocating any of us go rogue. After all, we’ve all seen what happens when a teacher decides just to do whatever she wants. I still believe there is a place in education for state standards and quality curriculum. We need meaningful professional learning opportunities and effective collaboration. I also believe that all of us should be willing to do things that we don’t want to sometimes. That’s true of any job.
I am still teaching effective lessons. I’m setting the bar high and continuing to encourage my students to work hard. I’ll be a team player and contribute to my professional learning community. But my number one priority, the thing that is motivating me to get up and get to school every day this year, is bringing joy back to teaching and learning.
Here’s how I’m doing it.
1. I am bringing back doing what the kids like to do.
I’m not talking about letting them call the shots. I’m still firmly in charge. I am talking about the things that used to be a normal part of the school day, a normal part of childhood, but that are often overlooked now in our rush to move on to the next standard or prepare for the next test. This school year, I will spend more time reading aloud to my students–not just the books and chapters we have to cover as a part of our curriculum, but reading together purely for the joy of a good story–no quizzes, no discussion questions, no final projects. I want to read books that will make us laugh or cry, books that inspire, fascinate, or spook us, and books that are masterfully illustrated. I want to read books that will help my kids love books–no strings attached. (Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through the Amazon affiliate links on this page.)
Not only that, but in 2023, my middle schoolers will be using more crayons, glue and scissors. We are going to make Valentine’s and Mother’s Day cards. We will set aside time to decorate their notebooks with stickers or create their own bookmarks. And we will have more outdoor silent reading days, game days, and write-letter-to-a-friend days. Do all these things fit easily with my standards? Not really. But I do not care. Allowing kids to do fun (if not technically justifiable) activities once in a while will not likely affect our all-important test scores or prevent anyone from learning what they need to know for next year, but resentful, stressed-out students and a burned-out teacher might.
2. We will have more catch-up days–for them and me.
Too many teachers are afraid of “getting caught” sitting at their desks grading papers or working on lesson plans during class time. And too many kids are overwhelmed and stressed out. The simple solution to these problems is bringing back the routine of simply taking a minute (or a class period) now and then to get caught up. Whether it’s working on missing assignments, studying for an upcoming exam, cleaning out their notebooks, or simply reading quietly, most kids need and appreciate time to just deal with stuff. Teachers certainly do.
From now on, I see no reason not to give them (and myself) that time. I am convinced we will all be better for it. So, if an administrator walks in to find kids reading, going over flashcards, standing at the trashcan emptying their binder, and me putting grades in my grade book, I’m just going to say, “Welcome! Come on in. We are all being productive in different ways.”
3. I am taking my time with our standards.
Speaking of time, I am finished rushing from standard to standard in the hopes that my students can glom onto concepts as we whizz past them. Fortunately, like many other schools, mine is pushing for a focus on essential standards rather than the “inch deep, mile-wide” approach of recent years. And I am taking that to heart. I don’t care if we only cover four standards all year. My students will have them down! Honestly, my conscience will no longer let me do it any other way.
4. I’m making relationships a priority.
I’ve always believed that a good rapport and strong relationships are the linchpins of effective teaching. But we all know that the pressures of teaching can make it easy to lose focus on that, and I’m bringing it back. Everything I’ve already mentioned will help me build stronger relationships with my kids because it will show them that their interests and needs are a priority for me. Doing these things will also create a more enjoyable, relaxed classroom atmosphere for all of us.
I’m also going to be making time for relationships with my co-workers. It’s so tempting to work through lunch alone in my room, just to try to get caught up. I don’t have it figured out yet. Clearly, something will have to give, but I’m going to enjoy more lunches chatting with friends. I’m going to linger at the copy machine and ask people about their families or what they did over the weekend. I’m going to invest more time hanging out with my teacher besties and more time getting to know other teachers. Of course, I can’t develop deep relationships with everyone in my building, but I’m finished just rushing past people in the hall and never having time for more than a nod and a smile. I’m through with always being in a hurry.
5. I’ll be speaking my mind.
Whether it’s in defense of my new, more laidback teaching style or to advocate for more recess or fewer meetings, I will be speaking up for things that I think matter for my students and fellow teachers. I am convinced that education in this country is at a crossroads. If we don’t make meaningful changes, both major and minor, I truly fear for the future of American education.
6. My family comes first.
Always! Working on weekends or long hours after school will not benefit my family financially or further my career. And having teachers who are angry and tired because they have to prioritize their jobs over their families does not benefit our students, society, or anyone else. So from here on out, if it interferes with my time with my family, I won’t be doing it.
Because I am doing more things that I think will result in bringing joy back into my classroom, I feel, for the first time in a long time, empowered as we begin the new school year. I’m excited! I love being a teacher, and I want to continue to teach until the day I retire. That’s why I am making these changes—for my sake and for my students.
