Skip to main content

from Funk to Invincible


in-vin-ci-ble [in-vin-suh-buhl] adj. unable to be conquered

I detest feeling ‘vincible’ amidst a group of middle schoolers. My smile usually at the ready was hidden behind a façade of confidence as I faked my way through the day. Today, I lost the usually bright, energetic me. The funk pressed down more and more heavily as the day continued. By the afternoon, unwelcome tears were teasing and taunting; ready to show themselves as I let the weight of it all collapse on me. Still mired in the negativity, I knew the only way out is to reflect on my day, find the positive, and remind myself all that I love about teaching.

Only seven more school days until Christmas track out. The students remind me of it on a daily basis. We even have a countdown on the board complete with green and red to add to the festive spirit. All year I have known that come the end of the semester, four of my classes would be leaving me for another class as I welcomed in new students. As exciting as it is, goodbyes at the end of a school year are always bittersweet. Sitting here taking a moment to ponder, it would appear saying goodbye to a group of students in the middle of the year is going to be just as challenging. Already, I am identifying the many ways I could have taught my classes more effectively. It boils down to more academic writing. Why did it take me until their final writing assessment for me to see how weak it is? Why did it take so long for me to start talking to their other teachers to ask about their writing skills?

For the last nine weeks, my eighth grade students have been engaged in a Service Learning Project with three components: a research paper, community service, and a presentation. The presentation is tonight. Ever since they heard about the presentation, the boys have been excited about dressing up. Not just in a shirt and tie, but a SUIT! The girls, on the other hand, are discussing the dresses they will wear. Unfortunately, some of the boys spent more time talking about their suits than they did working on their project. The stress of procrastination was palpable. 


Fast-forward three hours

The invincible me is back! Within the first few well-dressed students walking through the door ready for their presentations, a smile was on my face. The grin they wore as they checked-in with me erased the funk that had been residing within. As the wall of display boards went up and the buzz of interaction filled the room, the stress of the project had caused disappeared. Students spoke confidently about the research they had done, social issues that need to be addressed. Parents impressed with what the students produced asked a myriad of questions. The joy of what it means to be a teacher surged through me.
    
Just three hours before, I was questioning myself. All it took to snap me out of it was watching my students believe in themselves and share their knowledge to those around them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WABDR: Section 1

Section 1  We end at the beginning  Does it feel like this trip will never end? Epic adventures tend to last a bit longer than just an average one. So….on with our tale.  We got our bikes all packed up and continued over White Pass. The first time we went over it, it was a cloudy day. Thus, the visibility of the mountains was not much. I was expecting the same on our return trip to Packwood. Therefore, it took my breath away when I saw the mountain off in the distance for the first time. The beauty was so overwhelming, I teared up.    I continued to watch the mountain until I could see it no more. Soon we were in Packwood. Back where we started. After a quick breakfast at the local coffee shop, we were on our way. I may have taken a few minutes to ride the big bike first… Not too long though, because someone was ready to get moving.  Jennifer had some friends that were camping at Walupt Lake, which is right on the trail for Sectio...
Post a Comment
Read more

An Easter Lesson

I decided that this break I was going to stay home and spend the week doing things I have not done or haven't done in awhile. It all began Thursday night with Ballroom Dancing, which will continue on Monday and Thursday with lessons. Saturday, I bought a couple of new outfits. Today brought both something I hadn't done in awhile and something new. Today, I went to church which was pretty cool in itself. I went with someone I just met the day before. (I am sure that is no surprise to any of you who know me.) We made plans to meet up at church. It was different from any church I had been in before. The chairs were set up "in the round." There was no piano or organ to accompany our singing. People were in and out throughout the 90 minute service. No surprise, the place was packed. The service was your typical protestant service, minus the organ, of course. It had been awhile since my friend had been to church. Many in the congregation flocked to him at the end to gi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Epic Adventure: Riding the Washington BDR

PROLOGUE “Hey Mandie, let’s ride the TAT (TransAmerican Trail)  on dual sports bikes next year!” my sister, Jennifer, suggested. “Sure!” I was quick to agree. She lives on the West coast, I live on the East. Any chance to spend together, I was going to take it. This is a good place for me to mention I had no idea what a dual sports bike was. She has been riding a variety of motorcycles for about 40 years. Me? Me and my 750 Shadow, Layla, had put on about 40,000 miles in the five years I have been riding. She puts on that kind of mileage in a month. A few months later, Jennifer decided the Washington BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) would be a better fit as it was shorter and a bit easier. I was cool with it. I was in it to spend time with my sister. It was no big deal to me where we did it. Over the next few months, she purchased a bike for the both of us and outfitted it for our epic adventure. And then she practiced every weekend until I arrived. I would tell p...
2 comments
Read more