Teacher feels.
You know what I'm talking about. When the butterflies, or the goosebumps, or the tears hit you because something just happened in your classroom that was Oh. So. Good. Your kids saw something new, and they're blown away. Or they're having a conversation where they're changing minds and hearts through sound logic and well-chosen evidence, with only a few guiding words from you.
That's what comes from truly great teaching, and I feel like we're always chasing those teacher feels. The problem is, they're just so darn hard to come by.
I began my career teaching preschool for several years, and then third grade for about a decade. Those first years were grueling. I was hungry to know more and do better, but I didn't know where to turn for answers to my questions. Sometimes, when I found an answer, it contradicted what I'd heard somewhere else. Or this year's "big new thing" would be gone the next. Over time, I learned who were trusted resources and what books I could turn to over and over for great stuff. I learned what worked and how to apply research in my classroom. But it was exhausting and confusing and frustrating. It sapped every bit of energy and time I had, and I had small children at home who needed me.
Since then, I've been honored as the 2016 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. I've served as a director of literacy for a networked improvement community, the director of educator engagement for our state education department, and an academic coach for grades K-6. Currently, my role is the coordinator of literacy in my district. And every single thing I've learned from that very first year to now leaves me more convinced than ever of this:
I think that teachers should be able to get good answers to their questions, learn something new, find a great tool, be challenged to think differently, talk about the craft, add a new book to their stack, keep up with research, engage in meaningful PD, get all teacher nerdy, be inspired ... and still walk out the door of their classroom at a reasonable hour with the physical and mental energy to live a truly great life.
When I was full-time in the classroom, these are all the things I wanted to do but just didn't have the time. Now, it's my job to dig through all the elementary literacy stuff and share solid classroom resources, teacher learning that hits the spot, and conversations that challenge us all to think a bit harder about our craft. Simple, good things that can make it easier for you to teach really well.
At my very core, I believe that the most important thing we put in front of our students every day is a whole, healed, and healthy adult. Full stop. It's my hope that this space can help you be more of that.
Cue the teacher feels.
Here's to simply teaching well,
Cathy