Summary: Tovani shares her struggles and encourages us to keep on keepin' on.
I loved the following quote: "This is not the only place such an opportunity has been gathered / but it was one place / And you weren't here". We need to take advantage of the short time that we are given with our students and give them the best education possible. We need to help them realize that the classroom is a place in which great things can happen. We need to make their time feel and be worthwhile.
The comment that the veteran teacher made to Tovani was very interesting to me. She told Tovani that a great teacher will be disappointed with his/her work every year--that the will never be happy with what they have. Although I know we should modify our lessons each time, I believe this is the first time I have heard that this is the reaction I should have. It makes sense, and although a teacher may feel disappointed with their previous work, their heart is in the right place, and the students will benefit tremendously from this type of teacher. Sometimes someone's success comes from the distress of another. <--You may quote me if you'd like. ;)
We should strive to be "thinking teachers" and not "distributors of worksheets". This thought is what I aim for. I really do want to put the ideals of Tovani and others into action. I know the impact I can make on students and their attitude towards learning both in school and in life.
Awesome goals! I am glad Tovani has inspired you in so many ways! I will quote you on that. I am thrilled to hear that you want to strive to be a "thinking teacher"...that's what it's all about. In reading everyone's responses today I am also thinking about what worked this semester, what didn't work, and what could work better if I change it up a bit! I'm excited for this fall!
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