September 25, 2009
By Pam Pogson
Summer vacation? I, like many of you spent my time not only rejuvenating myself, but attending either mandated or self chosen classes to increase my professional abilities. I had a huge awakening about our profession this summer and am hoping that I can take it back to my building this year and possibly prevent some of the roller coaster feelings I typically have throughout the year.
You know the ones, one day you've taught a lesson that you know met every need in your room and you just want to share how well it went, or you finally reached one of those hard to reach kids (top of the roller coaster) then out of nowhere someone says something to you about how what you taught doesn't fit the curriculum, or one of your kids that you thought was getting "it" bombs an assessment (flying down the hill of the coaster).
Then, you pick yourself back up and talk yourself into trying again (climbing back up the hill). Having a school environment that meets all of our professional needs without ups and downs is a lofty goal, but as the poster says...."Shoot for the moon, and you will land among the stars!"
I am not a good networker. Good thing I didn't decide to go into sales! I don't even send out the positive energy like you are suppose to, not that I send out negative, I think it is just neutral.
The first class I went to was a mandated class by the district. As I sat in the meeting, the mood of the participants was grim and almost combative. The next one was a choice class that really pushed all the participants out of their comfort zone of thinking. The mood was supportive, we were all talking about the changes we were thinking of and yes, even I, the invisible person in the back of the room was participating.
I began to reflect on what the difference was that made me come to the last class with a better attitude. At the last class, the presenters used icebreakers (which I hate by the way) and random seating after every break. But this usually invisible participant in the back of the room was talking, collaborating and participating fully at her table. In fact, I was even networking....me of all people, exchanging emails and phone numbers! Never thought I would see the day.
So what made the difference?
I think the gathering of teachers, who all share like visions... no matter what that is, make workshops more valuable because we don't get restrained in our thinking by convincing those that resist change to share the vision.
I began to wonder how I could help bring this type of atmosphere into my work environment.So after some reflection, my advice to those of us that want to make our own school environment more desirable to work in is this.
Seek out those colleagues that share similar visions of teaching and are supportive of you, ultimately helping you see and feel value for what you do. This should help balance that rollercoaster ride. This is my goal for the year. Here's to a great school year and a move from the back of the room to a more sharing environment!
Pam is a 5/6 grade teacher at Meridian Elementary, a colleague of Gail's. She is featured in videos and articles throughout the site.