Maestra Teacher
  • Blog
  • About Me

Thoughts at year 29

4/25/2023

4 Comments

 
I have struggled to continue blogging regularly this year, and I've been thinking a lot about why that might be. As things often are, it's a complex answer involving grief, exhaustion, my doctoral studies, family needs, and challenges at school. Grief has changed my writing audience. Since my dad died, I have been writing to him - one long letter processing what's happening in my family and with my grief. 16 months later, his death is still very raw, but writing to him helps me feel close to him. 

This year I started my 29th year of teaching. I'm happy to report that 1) I still like what I do!; 2) I haven't become that jaded, bitter teacher I was afraid of becoming, and 3) I still have new and creative ideas all the time. That feels like a win.

Unhappily, though, teaching has become harder and harder, and it's never (almost) because of the kids. It is true that I am seeing more trauma, more anxiety, less attention, and more distractions in my students than ever, and I can bet that many teachers around the country are also experiencing this. Post-pandemic teaching is no joke, too. It's not easy to try to get students back on track, help them regain studentship skills, and propel their learning.

However, the hardest part about teaching lately is what's happening all around me. Criticism of teachers in the form of social media posts, school committee public comments, articles, and more leave many teachers wondering how much longer they can stay in the profession and stay positive. More and more this year, I have come to understand the power of having a strong collegial community, and of an active union. Both of those aspects of my profession have shown me what can happen when groups come together and work collaboratively with a goal in mind. 

Next year, I will start my 30th year of teaching. I have a hard time believing that I have been teaching that long when I had never planned to be a teacher! I still have some years left before I can retire, and I just hope I remain enthusiastic, caring and unjaded until that day comes. 

4 Comments
    Picture

    Archives

    September 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    January 2023
    September 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos from Prayitno / Thank you for (11 millions +) views, Clint Mason
  • Blog
  • About Me