First Appearance in 2025
As I progress through my third year of teaching, there have been some really awesome moments but there have also been some tough ones. Just with one student alone, I have seen him improve with his handwriting, spelling, reading and overall motivation to do his best work some days but then other days, he is ripping up papers and glaring at me like I am his mortal enemy. Another one can become super determined and eager to follow my directions perfect one second and then become super overwhelmed and shut down the next. I have two students for math that have made great growth in some aspects and are starting to use tools like a multiplication chart with more ease but for some reason, they don't always listen to me when I truly just trying to help them. Oh and then one who requests that when he has a good day with me to get a hug will completely ignore me and choose to make a mess instead of working whenever he feels like it.
So I guess my point being is that each of my students show some great skills and I love working with them, even with their challenges. I have to remind myself that these kids are not only still developing their moral compass but they also have their own learning or social obstacles that are just part of who they are. The fact that they can come to school each day, even with the massive hurdles they must be jumping over, is something to be thankful for. I have also been having a lot of fun challenging myself to remember more and more students' names, even if I don't see them that often.
Ever since I was young, I found it so exhilarating to greet people by name and genuinely try to bring a smile to their faces. That is still the same now and I get to do it with these young students that may even look up to me and be inspired to also spread kindness to those around them. There is so much that happens during the school day and if I can provide even a second of happiness in the students' lives, I consider it a success. I have also been building relationships with my colleagues, specifically one with my new director of special education. That role has changed four times since I started and I am hopeful that this one will stick around for more than a year (hopefully).
The last piece of the beginning of 2025 that I wanted to share was starting up Shrek the Musical with Windham Actors Guild! This time last year, I was involved with Beauty and the Beast with the same company and this year feels the same yet different. For one, the director is a different person and although he is similar than the one I worked with last year, I have a feeling the rehearsals are going to be a different vibe, but not in a bad way! Plus, we had over forty people audition including some of my really good friends that I have made through the other theater company I worked at over the summer. They were all so nervous yet excited for this opportunity and unfortunately one of them didn't make it in the cast but the rest are super eager to get started on Tuesday.
I hope to see you all again soon with either new podcast episodes or at the very least, a new blog post before February is over. I am a very routined person but when I lose my motivation to stick to the routine I had created since 2021, that then becomes my new routine. But I do love reflecting on each month for my future self to read when I am bored and I do enjoy seeing the growth over the years so I am back for the year and beyond! Thank you for reading and stay validating!