One of the (relative) downsides to my involvement in IWP is my exposure to the wider world of education. In the past few years, the circle of educators I’ve come to know and learn from has grown, and as a result I am much more reflective about my practice. These amazing people push me to think critically about education in general and literacy education in particular. How can this be a bad thing, you might wonder…
Well…
I’ve been in my current teaching position for 18 years. That’s 18 years teaching seventh grade language arts; 16 of them in the same classroom. I’m not complaining, mind you. I realize that I am lucky to have had a steady job in a school district that has many resources for both students and staff. I have amazing colleagues and administrators who encourage my professional growth. What I’m realizing, though is that I’m beginning to itch for change. That itch is due in large part to that ever-expanding network of colleagues I mentioned before.
I have options, I realize. I could go back to school and get my administration certificate and a second master’s degree. I could begin working on an Ed.D. I could write a book! Perhaps I could explore the idea of consulting, drawing on my 18 years of experience as a literacy educator. I know I’m not ready to leave the field.
I’m not entirely sure I’m ready to leave the classroom. I love my job (well, most of it, anyway)! I love the time I spend in the company of adolescents talking about books and writing. I love the hum of conversation and the quiet sounds of fingers hitting keyboards. The thought of leaving all of that behind is scary, given that I remember how desperate I was to land my own classroom in the first place!
Change is scary, no matter what. Ultimately, I will have to make a choice. I will have to decide what my next challenge will be. Perhaps I will decide to get more letters to add to those that already follow my name; perhaps I’ll find new ways to challenge myself within my current position. I don’t know.
Those crossroads are tricky. That is one thing I DO know for sure.
Crossroads can be scary contemplation points. I found myself in a similar position. After 15 years of classroom teaching, I accepted a position in administration. The job held many opportunities to support and improve literacy practices in my district. Now in my third year of administration, I’m glad I made the change. Each day is a new challenge, and I have grown professionally. However, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss being in the classroom. Perhaps the one idea that keeps me grounded is my purpose to do what is best for students. If you go down the road less traveled, and it isn’t what you expected, you can always turn around and try again.
Changes in education…yes, there are many divergent paths to take. Some are planned; others are presented. I began as a French teacher well, actually I studied French and taught English in a French lycee as my first professional position. The year in Normandy was fascinating: history, culture, students, pedagogy. Upon returning to America, I planned to teach at a university. That position was interrupted with a marriage and a transfer to Indiana University where I earned an MAT in French. Life’s path took me to the Chicago area where I taught at private schools and CPS! as I began raising a family. Realizing that my love of French would take me “behind the scenes at Le Francais with Jean Banchet” it would not help me to secure a permanent teaching position!
A move to Kankakee, IL introduced me to the Hmong as they were pushed out of southeast Asia. Three years of my learning about Russian MIGS, Mekong Delta, and death. Just as I completed a bilingual license, these brave families migrated to Minnesota.
Back to my studies in Reading and English, I stumbled upon the Illinois Writing Project which gave me a boost or a kick in the pants to reflect upon my goals and those for my students. Easy enough: CHOICE! (Seriously, it takes one off the hook for being an expert!) For more than a decade I enjoyed a variety of Literature Circles spread across class periods. I still hold students’ stories in my heart and head even if I have forgotten the authors’ names!
Continuing on: a leap! Inclusion Facilitator in a new district. Inclusion: brand new idea so the brush needed to be cut as the path emerged into “we are all in this together”…However, I missed having a classroom. I was now part of the major school system as I supported students, trained teachers and fostered young classroom aides.
General ed students guided me to include their friends into each class, each unit, each day. (THEY had been together for a number of years. The adults were the new equation.)
Shift again: IEP students are all included; teachers embrace (OK, after a few years !) modifications and adaptations. A norm has been set and staff seeks solutions to assisting EACH student. Labels slide away…
Foreign students? Who are they? Where is their country of origin? What language is spoken in the home? Why are they here? More challlenges: look to the student. Ask about his/her dreams. Stand on your head to understand 17 languages and yes, you know the 18th, but none of the 17!
Retirement arrives. Are you ready? BIG crossroad! Return home, enjoy your community but MISS the students. NEED the chance to make a little difference. MISS the chance to encourage.
Substitute teaching, each day is new, a challenge. Students respond to encouragement and strategies. Apparently, teachers never stop teaching as they continue to carry a story home about a student who took a step that very day to learn.
The most talked-about change in my world is the CCSS. I am very pleased that writing has been returned to its rightful position as knowledge equally important as reading and math!
This year, I plan to use the TCRWP’s K-8 Narrative Writing Stages to assess my students’ writing. The stages outlined by TCRWP are great, but they are very wordy and do not include mechanics. I’d like to expand my knowledge of writing stages by finding out what else is “out there.” If anyone knows of other good examples of writing stages (Narrative, Informative, and/or Argument) please let me know! The more ideas the better!