- I would have questioned grades sooner rather than working so hard on averages only to change my mind come report card time.
- I would have learn to reach out faster to co-workers and particularly veteran teachers that could have steered me in the right direction many times.
- I would have given up the notion that I must know what I am doing at all times.
- I would have given up on the teacher lectures and let the students talk more.
- I would have embraced the noise more rather than futively signaling for quiet - who learns in total silence anyway?
- I would have pulled down the awesome board and declared all of my students to be awesome each and every day.
- I would have realized that it is ok to feel overwhelmed and it is ok to not take a huge pile of work home with me once in a while.
- I would have realized that great learning doesn't always come from all worksheets or even written work.
- I would have let students work on enrichment if they had mastered a concept, why beat them over the head with it?
- I would have given myself a holiday from being perfect.
I would NOT have changed:
- The incredible passion I feel for my job every day
- The deep love of my students and their whole being
- The way I connect with students through sharing our lives together
- The ability to try new ideas and also know when they suck
- The reflecting over my failures (but I would have let go of the useless beating up of myself over them)
- The amazing feeling of responsibility and awe I have over being placed in charge of kids
- The belief that i can change the world through these kids
- The love, the love, the love
Happy first days to everyone
