Thank you for this opportunity to reflect alongside your younger self, Adrian. I really felt appreciated when reading this line: "Primary teachers (K-3) have a foundational role in socializing students to feel safe and seen in school; helping them find joy in learning. They are, in fact, students’ primary introduction to the lifelong pursuit of learning." I worked as an elementary teacher for a school that had, "the joyful pursuit of excellence" as their motto, and it always energized me because I hold excellence as a personal value. I'm sure my journals from my first years in the classroom also have lines about striving for excellence and aspirations about "being the change", but the part I'm most proud of when I look back over my years is actually being able to introduce them to the lifelong pursuit of learning, as you put it.
I loved reading your reflection! This was a great exercise. Spare some grace for the younger version of yourself. He tried to defend himself using language to justify what was innate. It’s like explaining a sunset. We can’t. But we try anyway.
Such a beautiful post, Adrian! It’s so meaningful to go back and reflect on ourselves as baby teachers all those decades ago.
In some ways, I feel like I’m a different person than I was even a year ago— which is what I have sitting in my drafts folder for my next article, hah!
Thank you! I am certain that I’m a different person now than I was 25 years ago. It’s crazy how life experiences change you in ways you don’t realize until you reflect years later.
I love this, especially the goals and the way you ended with the story about the kindergartener who stayed in at recess. As a veteran teacher, I totally relate to your honest and heartfelt reflection about how you, the students, and the learning environment have changed over the years. However, we are still there for the right reasons—to connect with young humans, hoping they take away something from our classroom that they didn't have before, whether it's a love of reading or writing, a joy for learning new things, or a belief they can change the world. Thank you for posting.
Thank you for reading and commenting! I’m glad you can relate. I think it’s a good practice to periodically reevaluate one’s teaching philosophy, especially if I’m going to make it to 30 years.
Thank you for this opportunity to reflect alongside your younger self, Adrian. I really felt appreciated when reading this line: "Primary teachers (K-3) have a foundational role in socializing students to feel safe and seen in school; helping them find joy in learning. They are, in fact, students’ primary introduction to the lifelong pursuit of learning." I worked as an elementary teacher for a school that had, "the joyful pursuit of excellence" as their motto, and it always energized me because I hold excellence as a personal value. I'm sure my journals from my first years in the classroom also have lines about striving for excellence and aspirations about "being the change", but the part I'm most proud of when I look back over my years is actually being able to introduce them to the lifelong pursuit of learning, as you put it.
I’m so pleased that my piece resonated! Your role is definitely something to be proud of. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I loved reading your reflection! This was a great exercise. Spare some grace for the younger version of yourself. He tried to defend himself using language to justify what was innate. It’s like explaining a sunset. We can’t. But we try anyway.
Such a beautiful post, Adrian! It’s so meaningful to go back and reflect on ourselves as baby teachers all those decades ago.
In some ways, I feel like I’m a different person than I was even a year ago— which is what I have sitting in my drafts folder for my next article, hah!
Thank you! I am certain that I’m a different person now than I was 25 years ago. It’s crazy how life experiences change you in ways you don’t realize until you reflect years later.
I’m looking forward to reading your next article!
I love this, especially the goals and the way you ended with the story about the kindergartener who stayed in at recess. As a veteran teacher, I totally relate to your honest and heartfelt reflection about how you, the students, and the learning environment have changed over the years. However, we are still there for the right reasons—to connect with young humans, hoping they take away something from our classroom that they didn't have before, whether it's a love of reading or writing, a joy for learning new things, or a belief they can change the world. Thank you for posting.
Thank you for reading and commenting! I’m glad you can relate. I think it’s a good practice to periodically reevaluate one’s teaching philosophy, especially if I’m going to make it to 30 years.