Surviving Another School Year

I just wrapped up year 10. Here is to summer and rejuvenation!

Summer Break is Sodium Awesome

I've always loved what summer brings out in me. Everything seems light once again and the smell of salt and adventure quite literally bring me back to life. When I drench myself in vitamin D, I see myself as a phoenix rising from the ashes and deepest depths of winter.

As a teacher, summer is a time to recharge and rejuvenate. It's certainly invigorating to be able to eat normal times, use the restroom when needed, and disconnect from the stress and mental fatigue that teaching inevitably brings. After a challenging school year, it's important to take a step back and reflect on what went well and what can be improved and for me, summer is always the time I do that.

I just finished my tenth year of teaching physical science. This school year was a difficult one, perhaps for us all. Could it have been so difficult because my students are as old as the iPhone? Or that I was failed by poor leadership? Or that COVID happened? I'm not sure the reason, but I came out at the end of the job resigning my current position and accepted a new position that feels like the perfect fit.

One of my main goals for this summer's to find my passion for teaching again. It's easy to get burnt out after a difficult year, but I know that my students deserve the best version of myself. To reignite my love for teaching, I am exploring new subjects and topics that I can bring into the classroom. After year ten, I feel like I finally have an approach to the Physical Science curriculum that is engaging and relevant and I plan on working on that approach this upcoming school year. I have always been a hands-on, inquiry based teacher, but I have developed projects that connect deeper learning and 21st century skills which I am excited to share out through this site.

Cheers to all the teachers who survived another school year. Let’s be done just surviving the school day, and start thriving each day. New year, new approach. Here is to being at the precipice of change.