My cousin Laurie and I recently had an email conversation along the lines of what Dave Burgess is talking about. I explained to her that I feel like my feet are dangling these days. Maybe my feet are always in a dangling state, but I'm just now realizing it. Or maybe they're just dangling more than usual. My head is consumed, but not in a bad way, with the whirling of questions about my practice.
How can I make _____ better?
What does better even look like?
Should I even be doing _____?
What would _____ look like in the real world?
How is my passion for literacy obvious in all I do?
How can I balance immersion with structure and routine?
How is everything I do somehow connected to their interests?
etc.
At times the questions that pursue me can, in the moment, seem so difficult to wrestle with. It can be tempting to let them go and move on, especially if my plate is already full. It's in the wrestling though that I often find myself with the most creative solutions to my questions and the best changes to my practice. Living in a state of ambiguity is never a waste of time. I've really no idea where my feet will land. Neither do I know how I'll eventually get there. My only worry is that I'll miss the boat and continue on with my own version of status quo.
I think that's the mark of an extraordinary teacher Tammy! I think many teachers either stop asking those questions or never start in the first place. Every class is going to have different needs and I think it's really important to reflect on how we can meet those needs. Thanks for the food for thought, as usual! :)
ReplyDeleteNot Just Child's Play
Miss Trayers, keeping track of all the questions adds an extra challenge. Putting them on my blog does help. Thank you for your input!
DeleteI believe this kind of self-reflection is necessary for any sort of personal growth. I always enjoy your very thoughtful reminders. Have a great day, Tammy!
ReplyDeleteBarb, I always enjoy your insightful comments. Thank you!
DeleteI love all your questions. I am reading to professional reads...that are a bit contradictory, but I like what is said in both of them, so my mind is swirling with how to mesh the big ideas of both!!!!
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Laurie, you know well the swirling issue! I'm sure you'll come up with something grand.
DeleteGreat self reflections! They can make us uncomfortable, especially when we don't arrive at an answer right away. Your constant striving to tweak and improve your craft of teaching is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, it is definitely an uncomfortable feeling. Thank you for joining me in the tweaking and reflecting.
DeleteI was just last night wrestling with some questions of my own. I always have so many great ideas and things I want to implement in my room, but I really have to think through how that looks all put together. I also have to remind myself it is okay to get 'behind' or 'off-schedule' if the reason benefits my kiddos. I think it is good to be constantly questioning our methods and practices--but it can 'hurt' sometimes....those growing pains!
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Teaching Little Miracles
Crystal, yes some pain can be involved when we allow those questions to ruminate in our minds. Sometimes there are so many too! :)
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