Frustration & Tears
Learning new things is hard! It's normal for students (and those supporting them) to feel frustrated, confused, or even overwhelmed at times. These feelings can sometimes lead to tears, and that's okay. It's part of the process.
My Teaching Journey
As a teacher, I believe in the ongoing process of reflecting on and refining my pedagogy, and this blog is my way of sharing that journey. Education is not a static field; it evolves with new challenges, discoveries, and approaches, and I am committed to growing alongside it. Through this space, I aim to explore innovative ideas, share insights from my classroom experiences, and think critically about what it means to be an effective educator. Whether it’s learning about emerging teaching strategies, reflecting on successes and challenges, or discussing ways to better support students, every post here is a step forward in my mission to become the best educator I can be. Join me in this journey, and let’s grow together as lifelong learners and passionate advocates for education.
The Process Series
Learning, whether in a classroom or at home, is an emotional journey. It's not just about textbooks and tests; it's about growth, and growth involves feeling.
Remember Your "Why"
My initial "why" for teaching was clear: social justice. I envisioned classrooms as incubators of equity, spaces where I could empower students to challenge injustice and create a more just world. Cue the inspirational music, slow-motion shots of me connecting with "at-risk" youth, and maybe even a voiceover about changing the world, right? Okay, maybe not. I was very conscious of the "white savior" narrative, the kind you see in movies like Freedom Writers, Dangerous Minds, or The Ron Clark Story (take your pick!). I knew I wasn't going to single-handedly "save" any students, and to be honest, that has never been my goal.
Beyond the Highlight Reel
Perhaps my reflections will resonate with your own experiences, offering a sense of shared understanding and perhaps even a spark of inspiration. Unfortunate events are usually the catalyst of any major change, but exploring this is not the aim of my blog. Rather, I want to focus on the process of change, the often messy, emotional, and ultimately human experience of navigating growth, learning, and transformation, regardless of what sparked it. I'm interested in the journey itself, the internal shifts and external adjustments we make as we adapt and evolve.
