Being in a classroom can be busy. Working with elementary students can feel like you don't have a moment to yourself to breath, much less reflect. It's amazing what students and teachers get done during a day. It is also a bit daunting to think about what is expected in a day, in a month, in a school year.
This past week, we had parent-teacher conferences. For a full day, I was able to connect with parents and share about the growth for each of my students. I was blown away at the growth already this school year. Typically the growth explosion happens between January and March as this is the most uninterrupted time in our school year. No breaks or changes in schedules allow students to really get into the flow of learning.
As I prepared to meet with parents and complete report cards, I did some assessments to monitor progress. All of my students grew. Some more than others, but the fact is each student has made progress. It was so rewarding to see this. Some are growing but need additional support. It is great to really start to see what they need and work together with parents to try to meet those needs. Some of my students' reading is really taking off. That is so exciting as I start to focus on higher level thinking and examining text.
Some days I feel like I can't keep up. I want to follow the curriculum, meet the needs of students, be a valuable teammate, and connect with students to build relationships. It can feel daunting. But taking time to stop and look at where we have come from to where we are right now is really valuable and so important. We shouldn't rush through our days and forget to see how far we've come. This is true in the class. It is true in any aspect of life.
During this busy season, take a few moments to remember where you started this fall. As a teacher and as a person. Maybe jot it down in a notebook or even on a Post-it to remind yourself you are doing more than you realize.
Clipart by Melonheadz
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