Saturday, April 20, 2013

Saturday Sayings: Two Kinds



This quote meshes well with a thought that's been swirling around in my head of late.  Maybe this is an oversimplification, but I've come to the conclusion that when it comes to change, there are basically two kinds of teachers.  There's the teacher who's typically on the receiving end of change, rarely on a mission to track it down, and then there's the teacher who is seeking out change and creating it for themselves.  The teacher who receives change, whether happily or not, doesn't typically have a choice.  They are pushed along simply because change happens.  Sometimes this kind of change proves to be helpful and sometimes it's not, but most likely they're stuck with it regardless.  The teacher who creates change isn't waiting for mandates from oftentimes faceless people who will never set foot in their classroom.  Instead, they're constantly searching out instructional changes as a result of their own daily research.  They're reading, reflecting, and seeking.  On a personal note, my life is one of consistency.  Change in my daily routines is not necessarily appreciated, but as a teacher, I strive to be a creator of change instead of simply letting it push me around.



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16 comments:

  1. I'm with you on this one, Tammy!
    Connie Anderson:)
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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  2. Change can be a scary thing, but necessary for growth and improved teaching. :)
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, I definitely agree. The growth in my teaching is because I've taken on change that at times can for sure be scary.

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  3. In my everyday life, I really don't like change and try to avoid it at all costs. However, with my teaching, I am always looking to change and make things better. Thank goodness I am teaching in a time where new ideas and strategies are shared so quickly and freely!

    Great Post
    Tara
    The Math Maniac

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    1. Tara, your point is a good one. There are so many resources available to us.

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  4. I'm kinda thinking, hmmm. I feel like I'm proactive in seeking out change - I'm currently reading 3 professional books - but they're books that interest me - are things I want to get better at. My district seems to be on a different path than I am. I'm not sure how to reconcile the two.

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  5. Sara, I've found that I've been able to go in the direction of what interests me and will make me a better teacher even when my district's path was different. Maybe that's partly due to great administration at my building though.

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  6. I completely agree with you. I'm constantly seeking out ways to do things better and just different ideas. I love your Saturday sayings!
    Chrissy
    First Grade Found Me

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    1. Chrissy, thank you so much for saying that. I'm blessed that you think so!

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  7. I think that's one of the best parts of teaching; being able to make your own well-informed decisions and changing it up as needed:)
    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Barb, I agree. I'd hate to wait for those decisions to be made for me by someone else.

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  8. As much as I say that I love change, I think I also understand and feel comfy with consistency. I love those three words: reading, reflecting, and seeking. But the one thing I have to keep remembering is that sustainable change isn't something that happens overnight and sometimes I'm in too much of a hurry for things to change and then become our new normal. Does that make sense? It might be too late in the night for such deep thinking!

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    1. Barbara, your deep thinking makes sense to me. When I make a change in my classroom, I give myself time and lots of practice to get it right. There's definitely a need for patience too. :)

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  9. One of the reasons I love the blogging world is to constantly look for ways to change and grow.

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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    1. Laurie, your blog inspires me all the time!

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