This post elicited so many mixed emotions, Adrian. Nostalgia for what felt like the halcyon days of pre-pandemic teaching. Wistfulness thinking back on the fever pitch of peak Maker/Design-Thinking/Tech fueled innovation of the aughts and early 20teens (I was riding an adjacent wave myself around the same time and, despite my misgivings about how that scene turned out, the sense of possibility and energy is sorely missed). Sadness at the sudden snap-back to turgid traditionalism that feels more unshakable than ever.
Mostly, however, I felt excitement for your new journey, but with a touch of sadness. It's a tragedy that there are so few veteran teachers who share your hunger for improving their teacherly craft but whose perspective has been tempered by the wisdom of time and experience. I'm lucky to know a few teachers who fit that mold, but they are unicorns. Your future students and colleagues are lucky to have you!
Thanks! It was fun to reflect on my experiences and write a retrospective piece. Sometimes I feel like I’m living and teaching through history! I wonder what historians will eventually say about these years. I’ve learned quite a lot about myself, but by and large, it seems like the system hasn’t changed.
Good luck in your new school!! This post got me wondering how I would categorize my eras of teaching. Hmmm....
It was fun to write a retrospective!
This post elicited so many mixed emotions, Adrian. Nostalgia for what felt like the halcyon days of pre-pandemic teaching. Wistfulness thinking back on the fever pitch of peak Maker/Design-Thinking/Tech fueled innovation of the aughts and early 20teens (I was riding an adjacent wave myself around the same time and, despite my misgivings about how that scene turned out, the sense of possibility and energy is sorely missed). Sadness at the sudden snap-back to turgid traditionalism that feels more unshakable than ever.
Mostly, however, I felt excitement for your new journey, but with a touch of sadness. It's a tragedy that there are so few veteran teachers who share your hunger for improving their teacherly craft but whose perspective has been tempered by the wisdom of time and experience. I'm lucky to know a few teachers who fit that mold, but they are unicorns. Your future students and colleagues are lucky to have you!
Thanks! It was fun to reflect on my experiences and write a retrospective piece. Sometimes I feel like I’m living and teaching through history! I wonder what historians will eventually say about these years. I’ve learned quite a lot about myself, but by and large, it seems like the system hasn’t changed.
Good for you! And good luck!
Thank you. Here’s to the next chapter!