Well, my thoughts on the matter are, one: I've never really had a "theme" in my classroom before (don't kick me out of the education world...it is true and I admit it...) My classroom in the past has had a lot of Mary Engelbreit things, fabric, posters, etc. It's so cheerful and bright... and exactly fits my mood...
Until I started blogging and blogstalking, I felt on the edge....edge of changing careers. I don't need to say how hard teaching is in this era of accountability and testing. Even without those things, the children coming through our classroom doors are so different than what I or even my parents had as classmates, their prior knowledge (not even relating to the classroom) and what they don't have at home...
Sorry, digressing... I had no motivation to do anything. I was getting very close to, yes, I'm going to say it, hating my job. Not so much the verb- teaching, but the new definition of the noun- teaching: pushing meaningless paper work, attending pointless meetings, listening to higher ups give mixed messages and piling on more, and MORE, and MORE... I kept thinking, I went into education to be active and interact with children, help them learn, spark their interests...not fill out paperwork on how many times I talked to Johnny's mom and her boyfriend, or discuss for an hour twenty different ways to obtain the same goal for a fund raiser... I could have gone into business and done the same thing.
But having good coworkers who are more than coworkers...friends and I would even go so far as to say sisters that I didn't have...they have helped me stay where I know I am supposed to be. I have found so many things through blogging and even Pinterest that have made me want to be at work again.
My friend and I have been crafting things all summer for our classrooms...even driving to two different cities to find things to decorate... looking for that little bit of motivation to help refresh our tired minds.
Two: Owls represent knowledge and wisdom... everything I look to instill in my kiddos. Why wouldn't anyone not want an owl theme in the classroom?? Besides, they are too stinkin' cute!!
So thank you to all who have kept me teaching and ready to face the next year (even if it's gonna be a doozy of a year)...
I've felt the same things. Even took two years off. But I came back, and yes, with a combination of excellent coworkers, blog stalking, and hail to Pinterest (and maybe a good dosage of meds in the mix) has definitely brought back a spark and excitement to teaching for me. And I too, NEVER had a theme. This will be my first year with one. And that is exciting. It was good to hear that someone else has gone through the same thoughts but come out on a positive side.
ReplyDelete~Heather
The Meek Moose
Teaching ain't what it used to be that is for sure. I also get discouraged with the DATA and assessments. I'm glad you are feeling inspired by all these wonderful teachers and their ideas. They inspire me too.
ReplyDeleteKindergartenLove.
1. I never had a theme before either!
ReplyDelete2. I chose owls for they first theme too!
3. Meaningless meetings and paperwork have replaced laundry as the bane of my existence.
4. I'm really glad you stuck with it! Your blog is awesome...and I love your blog name.
Hoot hoot.
Laura
Wow...this post was like looking in the mirror. With all you mentioned as well as an EXTREMELY difficult few in my class this past year, I, too, thought more than a handful of times that I really should look for something else. And it made me angry because THIS is what I want to do. But a new mindset from time, restructuring my work brain, blogging and Pinterest, has also put a fire in me so bad! I'm glad you found it, too. And so oddly, Mary Engelbreit was my inspiration for my room a few years ago and I've stuck with it...not so much the artwork but I've used a black foundation with the bright fun colors she uses :) That was my "theme" :D This year, will be black base with red and yellow and white polkadots. Owls are a GREAT theme...can't wait to see what you do!
ReplyDeleteApple Blossoms
You're not alone! I know I have had those feelings in the past. This year, however, is one I am looking forward to. As a matter of fact, I am counting down the days until school starts ... 3 more weeks! I'm glad you've stuck with it. I have found that the trials make me stronger and also give me more appreciation for what I have.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Where Seconds Count