I just had my yearly checkup. I’m
sure you’ve had one of these exams. It’s not one that takes place in a doctor’s
office, but rather, one that occurs in my heart and mind. I check myself mentally
to see if I’m still passionate about what I do. When I find I’m symptomatic of
an indifferent attitude, I’ll know it’s time to quit. So how did my exam go? Let’s
see.
First I assessed my motivation. How
motivated was I to get back into the classroom? Well, this may not have been a
fair question for me since I’m actually getting my OWN classroom after twelve
years of being a nomad. That’s a HUGE motivator for me. My own space. No more
carting files and books and laptops and books and personal items and glasses
and …well…everything between two classes. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking
forward to a classroom. Motivation for job? Check!
Next I probed my enthusiasm for what
I teach. Am I still excited about and do I continue to enjoy teaching writing
and American Literature? Am I looking for new ideas to try out on students this
year? Am I jazzed to see light bulbs of understanding click on in my student’s
eyes? I believe so. Meetings with newer, younger colleagues confirm this in me.
When we start talking about our classes, ideas snap, crackle, and pop. I can’t
stop thinking about what I’m going to try. Based on my reaction to “shop” talk,
I think I can say, Enthusiastic about content? Check!
Another part of my exam dealt with
my attitude toward others. Am I looking forward to working with my coworkers, collaborating
when possible, on new ideas to implement not only in my classroom but also in
the school? My exam took me into a meeting with my principal where we discussed
the upcoming year and the plans for our mentoring program. Telling him my ideas
and listening to his got me fired up about the changes that will take place
this year at my school and to the enhancements to the program. I’m eager to
work with new teachers and veterans to make the learning environment at my
school more engaging. Attitude positive? Check!
I don’t limit these checkups to a
yearly basis. I actually perform them regularly. I don’t want to just be a teacher;
I want to be the best teacher I possibly can. I expected that out of those who
taught my children. Why wouldn’t I ask the same of myself? This is part of my
yearly maintenance as an educator, things I need to monitor regularly in my
life. I’ll know it’s time to lay down my keyboard and pen when I can’t respond
positively to those questions.
Life is full of changes. I probably
won’t teach for the rest of my life. Who knows, maybe I won’t pass my yearly
checkup next year. One thing I do know for sure about this upcoming year. I passed
my exam in spades and can’t wait to start!
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