Trying to Keep Diligent

Ok, another post -- think that makes two this week!

Why I Do What I Do...
There was a recent exchange I saw on Facebook about why teachers leave the profession.  I could sit here and write all the reasons that are commonly cited: pressures, politics, testing, etc.  There are many reasons that a teacher would leave teaching.  There are many nights I come home exhausted and sick of my job.  For those nights, I submit the following reasons why I stay with this insanity:

Those moments that kindergartners come up to you and hug you like you're their favorite teddy bear because you are, according to them "the best teacher".

Looking into a students eyes during a lesson and realizing that they "get it".

Classes that can get into the meat of a book and discuss it on multiple levels.

The feeling of utter exhaustion at the end of a good day when you know you've made a difference.

Colleagues that support you and share their ideas with your to improve your craft.

True professional development where new ideas are shared.

Getting to read great books to share with students.

The moments of pure "un-academic" joy that you get to share with students.

Messages from parents thanking your for getting your child to where they are and being a part of their success.

I could go on with many similar reasons why I love my job.  But for me, it has always and will always go back to the kids.  Teachers are vilified and often made to made the scapegoats for the ills of society.  But I and many other teachers know the truth.  We make a difference.  We are part of helping to change children's lives.  Even if it may not seem it everyday, we change things.

Re-do: Week of Goals

So much for last week's goal... Snow and sickness got in the way....
On to this week: 3 posts?  I hope so!

Today finds me sitting at my dining table (our apartment doesn't have a separate kitchen table - its a one stop shop table) and really taking in the moment.  The kids are watching TV, cup of coffee next to me and one of those rare quiet times.  I've started at least two different posts and thought both were too sappy.  Oh, and that quiet was quickly ended by the tugging on my arm looking for something, although I'm not sure what, from my little one.  But it is in those small, little moments of quiet that I can find just a moment to reflect on how happy I really am.  I've been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and really meditating on where my own life falls in terms of happiness.  The realization I've come to is that I am happy, but need to do a much better job at expressing that happiness.  A note I made in the pages is that happiness expressed is not happiness.  If I can't share that with others, what is the point?  So my challenge for this week (in addition to writing) is to be more positive in my attitude towards others.  How can you show others you are happy and in terms share it with them?

Nothing like Ironic, Hipster Moments to Kick You Into Gear

I am sitting in Starbucks.  I am drinking from my re-usable cup.  I am working.  I just read a satirical article about hipsters.  And damn it if I don't find the irony in that...

So this week is all about goals for me.  It's a slow work week and I'm giving myself a writing goal -- 3 posts this week: today, Wednesday and Friday.  So here goes.

I think for me, the biggest challenge of this blog has been just the vastness of it: I mean, what do I write about?  I know, I had a post listing things to write about earlier.  But for some strange reason, I've coupled reading and writing as "luxuries" in my life, to be enjoyed in small doses.  I even had to just stop myself to actively think "I am writing now.  I am enjoying this."  I worry so much about taking time for this pleasure in life that I scare myself away from even starting.  

I don't want to be that "mommy blogger" or "fitness blogger" or "life-style blogger".  I don't even like the title of blogger.  I want to be a writer. 

That word to me is much bigger and grander than "blogger".  Writer conjures images of Twain, Dickens, Austen and a time gone by when writing was an art.  Now, the written word is everywhere around us.  For me, there is no more luxurious joy than a book, blanket and cup of coffee.  Instead, the world is filled with books, magazines, newspapers, online content and WORDS!  I want to add to that, but something of meaning, something lasting, something to make someone, ANYONE stop and think and appreciate life for a moment.

I was sick last week and watched Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield.  In it, he quipped, "I watch the movie, I'm in and out in 2 hours."  The English professor corrected him in that in the book we create our own ideas and thoughts are are connected to the world around us.  That image resonated with me -- movies are great.  TV is great.  But books?  Books we can get lost in.  In a book, we decide what Harry Potter looks like.  As we read, we decide what Tom Sawyer sounds like.  In reading non-fiction, we assimilate the ideas into our own world view and broaden our horizons. 

So here's to finally settling into this blog.  It won't be organized, it will come together slowly.  But it will happen and my hope is lead to bigger things.

Here's to the written word!