The End of the Decade

I vaguely remember they Y2k scare (I was 11). I don’t really remember how the 2010 new year was, but as 2020 comes closer and the end of this decade approaches it has put me in a reflective mood over the past 10 years. For me educationally, I feel like my philosophy of education has changed, especially outside of the teaching math realm. Below are some things I used to think were important or how I thought about education.

• I used to think that engagement was key and building elaborate learning experiences would help my students make gains and remember the material for the long term. 
• I used to think that the latest and greatest would help bridge that gap from coming to math class to enjoying math class.
• I used to think that being a teacher was only going to be a part of my life.
• I used to think that I could carry the weight of the class on my shoulders.
• I used to think that content was king.

From the end of college, to subbing for a full year, to my first teaching job, to my second, to my third. My first teaching job left some scars that I am still getting over. I feel like I left a home at my second job to become a better teacher. I got my Masters a few years ago and there have been countless people and PLN members that have been influential these past 10 years. There have been countless teachers that have opened their doors for me to come in and look. To mention a couple of people, first off Marty Fetch who is an instructor at Doane University that focused on building classroom culture. I’d like to thank countless people in #mtbos and #cleartheair specifically Marian Dingle and Val Brown, whose guidance and leadership in these spaces makes it evident of the work that needs to occur in our classrooms.  I am thankful for all the experiences this decade and all of the teachers and students I have had.