The Eve of my 11th Year...

Tomorrow is a day I've always been anxious about--ever since I was 5 years old. The "First Day of School." Granted--it is just a week then I get a couple off until the year takes off in August. As a child--I always had a little bit of anxiety and nervousness from this day. It hasn't gone away for me as an adult and I start a new school year every year. One of the glories of being a teacher.

But on this--the eve of my "first day" of school, there's a few things I wish I could have told myself 11 years ago as a brand new teacher.

1. The first day of school will always have that excitement. I love this about my job! Every year is an opportunity to start anew, and meet new people that you can impact and that will impact your life. It's also a chance to try new ideas and do better than the year before. To perfect how we do things and change. Change is a foundation to growth--and this is huge.

2. Cherish those people you work with each year. Each year is filled with opportunities to meet new people, and learn from one another. I know that each of us was put here on earth to learn from one another and to teach each other--children to adults. I love that there is an opportunity for us to impact each other and to learn. Those kiddos I taught my first couple years definitely made me learn about teaching and helped me become the teacher I am. And the mentors and others that helped me learn to improve my management and teaching strategies were God sends. Each year those people come and go--so remember them and let their good parts mold you into who you are.

3. Teach what you preach--I wanted my students to understand that they controlled their learning. I wanted them to know that learning is part of life--but it wasn't later on in my career that I realized that it made a difference to share some of those things I was learning with them too. Granted--you don't share everything with kids, but you can share about how amazing it is to try new things and to be brave. We learn from the example of others--so living what you preach is important.

4. Take opportunities. I have lived this but I know when I was a young teacher--I was afraid of some of these. I thought that my stir craziness was bad--that wanting change was crazy. Really though, every time I began to get stir crazy, I learned more about my teaching and was able to push myself to newer levels. I'm grateful for those stir crazy moments and my desire to keep learning and trying more. I'm also grateful for those who perfect a grade or a content and who keep developing things to make learning better for kids. Their examples and strengths have been a blessing to me in so many ways.

5. And lastly, I think I have learned more and more that it's okay to share your voice as a teacher. When I started, I don't think I was vocal about things happening in my school, district, or state. But--teachers can have a voice and say and do and act on what is best for kids--because truly--that is what most teachers go into teaching to do. To advocate for the ability to allow others to learn. I would tell my younger self to not be afraid to do this and to continue to fight for our ability to learn.

My heart is full and grateful tonight as I prepare to start a year that I know is going to be full of adventure and change. I'm going to hold on to each moment of it and let it continue to let me grow. I'm thankful to all those who have helped me become. Truly--this life is about becoming. I'm grateful I have found a career that has allowed me the opportunities I have had in life to grow.