So, here we go for week two.
This year I have been particpating in a Teacher Leader Bootcamp for Indiana teachers. Thursday was our wrap-up, and our former State Superintendent made a surprise visit. She talk about how important teacher leaders were right now and how as teacher leaders, “we never totally arrive.”
I took to my notebook to write about this quote. It lead me to begin thinking about my summer plans to grow as a teacher – I know I have not totally arrived!
What does this quote make you think about? Have you totally arrived as a teacher? As a parent? As a partner? Take a few minutes this weekend and jot in your notebook. Come back and let me know where this quote took you? I would love to have a conversation.
Leigh Anne is a mom to Megan, who is a third grade teacher and Ethan, who is a behavior coach for elementary children. She enjoys being a parent to “adult children” but knows she has not “totally arrived” in this area either.
Three Teachers Talk 
The quote and your Summer Plans idea made me think about my own Summer Plans. I would love to go back to school and earn a degree in writing/writing instruction, but it ain’t happening right now. So, I have sought out alternative learning opportunities such as The Reading and Writing Project with Teachers College, following authors and writing instruction “experts” on Twitter, and reading ALL (Okay, some of) the books. My Personal Professional Summer PD plan is ready to be implemented.
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Thank you for writing Donnetta! As much as I enjoy my summer break, I do love finding ways to become a better teacher! Looks like your summer will be quite similar. Let the learning begin!
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Leigh Anne, I wrote about how I feel judged by other teachers who may think they have already arrived. They tell me to stop. I then made a list of what I have done over the past year as a teacher, reader, and writer. I made a second list of my summer and fall plans. Thank you for another thoughtful prompt. Next week, I want to write on Friday.
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I have been in those same shoes of being judged. It is not easy. I am glad you have made a list of accomplishments. I think that is important because often we do see them. I look forward to hearing more about your plans. Feel free to write and share anytime – the only reason it is Friday Night Quickwrite is that they rhyme! 🙂
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I examined 3 areas with this quote- teacher, parent and partner. Then I looked back and noticed a common thread. If you do arrive and stop growing, learning, changing then boredom, conflicts, complacency and unhappiness take root and grow. The prompt quote is all about being open-minded and having a growth mindset, not being a rock brain stuck in one mode of thinking.
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I love where this prompt took you! Yes, I do see boredom, conflict, complacency, and unhappiness in all of those areas when we stop growing. Very insightful! Thank you for joining us this weekend!
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I love how this quote makes me think. Have I totally arrived? Not even close. I’m not sure I ever will either, and while the old me would never have believed that–I was all about doing everything and being everything to get and stay ahead–the new me is taking life a lot slower, a lot more purposeful, and practicing things with better intention. I think we can wear ourselves out trying too hard and saying yes too often. Of course, there are always new things to learn when it comes to educating young people in general and in leadership especially. If we think we’ve arrived, we are kidding ourselves. But I do think we can arrive at a place that makes sense for whatever our goals are and wherever we’re at in our learning journey. It’s okay to pause, breathe, stay still awhile, absorb. I think I am, if anything, getting there.
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I love this perspective on the quote. “Arriving at a place that makes sense for whatever our goals are and wherever we’re at in our learning journey” took me in a completely different direction. Taking time to pause is so important, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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