19th Year and Counting

his will be my 19th year as an educator and as the new school year is about to begin I am excited, nervous, and a little sad about leaving summer vacation behind.

Since I began teaching in 2005, so much has changed in the classroom, the access to technology, learning management systems, online tutoring that occurs in class while the teacher is teaching, the massive exodus from the profession of teaching, unfounded claims that teachers are indoctrinating students...and I could go on.

"Why do you stay?" They ask. "I couldn't do it!" They exclaim.

I stay because I love teaching kids, I do it because I love teaching. It's quite simple for me. I have several former students who are now educators and even former educators. It's a tough road, I have encouraged them to persevere and most have; some have moved on to other professions and that is understandable.

 

I look forward to another exciting year of teacher and student triumphs. I am hopeful for support administration and staff to make sure that the school year is one of learning and a safe space to be creative and grow.

Pass it on...Teacher Tips to Close out a Great School Year!

My first teaching position consisted of a few days of shadowing a wonderfully gifted teacher, receiving a key with a smile and then left on my own. It was tough, I could barely manage lesson plans let alone a classroom full of second-chance at-risk students, but I LOVED my new career and I was determined to help my students succeed.
I went to every experienced teacher on campus asking question upon question, attending training and finally becoming the kind of teacher I wanted my students to have. I have to thank all of the patient veteran teachers and principals who were willing to help me when things got tough.
With that said, I missed the opportunity to sit with a first-year teacher and offer up a bit of sage advice from my experiences in the past 13 years of teaching. So, to keep my word I created a short informational video that I hope in some small way will help new teachers diving headlong into one of the greatest and toughest professions out there.
Blessings,
Paula