One of my favorite TV commercials of all time is for STAPLES. A dad and his two children are shopping for school supplies and the holiday song "Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is playing. The dad is skipping through the aisles with joy while the kids look like their lives have ended.Even as a teacher I find this hilarious because I know that feeling.
No one likes the summer ending - the free time, the hot weather, and the opportunity to do absolutely nothing is heavenly. It is also important for us all to take time off, appreciate the hardwork we have put in and enjoy the simple things. Too many times during the school year it feels as if life is flying by and summer helps slow us down.
Yet I will admit to having the back to school itch which includes buying more school supplies than I need, reorganizing my electronic folders, redesigning my website and even posting a blog entry. I'm excited to meet my new students and tackle all the literature for another time. Each year I evaluate what worked and what didn't, making assignments and activities better and better. I like that feeling of - progress.
I have to say when I was teaching a while ago, I worked with middle schoolers. I loved their energy and positive attitudes - which for high schoolers is dependent on how much sleep they've gotten - but the problem was the middle schoolers were very black & white thinkers. They also never challenged what I said - that was fun for a while but got "old." What I love about teenagers is their desire to discover things for themselves, weigh the options and decide what they believe - not just mirror what I believe. Watching that process is why I come to work every day.
You end up seeing someone become themself.
1 comment:
I like this a lot :)
(by the way, my favorite staples commercial was the one with Alice Cooper with his daughter and she says, "I thought you said school's out forever" and he's like, "no, I said, 'school's out for SUMMER'" makes me laugh)
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