Teachers are a different breed in many respects. While most people, those using the Gregorian Calendar anyways, define the new year as starting on January 1st, teachers don’t see it that way. Their fresh start begins in early September. Rather than the pop of fireworks, the singing of Auld Lang Sine and the plethora of poured, and spilled, Champagne, Teachers celebrate with the pop of bells, the singing of the National Anthem and the plethora of spilled tears, sometimes of joy, from parents and students alike.
So, while the festivities in January may look better, in reality, they celebrate much of the same thing. Both New Years celebrate the opportunity for new beginning and unbridled chances for success. The January 1st celebration starts a fresh new calendar on the fridge, unblemished by appointments, birthdays and reminders. The September new year offer fresh faces, unblemished by missed assignments, poorly written papers and questionable class clowns. The opportunity to change is boundless.
Unfortunately, those of us who have danced this dance for a lot of years can become a little tarnished in our optimism. We begin to see the beginnings of years blend into one big beginning, not separating what we have learned from year to year into an idea of how much we have grown. So, going into this year, I have a challenge for you. Pick that resolution for the year and put it up somewhere for all to see. Put it on the board behind your desk, put it as your screen saver, put it anywhere where you have the chance of seeing it regularly. Improve your year, improve your instruction. just keep getting better. Not only are our kids worth it, you’ll feel better for it as well.
In the wise words of Shrek “Change is good, donkey.”
Keep on Learning
Dave
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