Well, Here We Are
Breaking Out of the Vacuum
So, tonight has not been the most inspirational evening to stir up creative juices for my first true blog posting assignment. If you can imagine: near constant interruptions from my two young children, a long (but actually pretty great) school day, followed by spectating a cross country meet for my nine year old, a quick dinner eaten over the computer keyboard and now my tired mind forming the words for this blog post.
My kids and I would much rather that I lay down to read bedtime stories to them, but this time is also important - for me. Blogging provides a valuable time for self reflection and self expression. For a once journalism major, I rarely write down (or type out) my thoughts to share with others. That's pretty lame.
Working in a classroom can be a socially isolating experience for adults. Last year, while I was subbing for a kindergarten teacher out on a maternity leave, I would sometimes go to leave the classroom at the end of the day and realize that I had barely left the classroom all day, let alone taken a lunch break or taken a moment to be casually social with another adult.
I would have stretches at a time where I felt like I was working in a vacuum - without much adult interaction - although *plenty* of interactions with the students in my (temporary) classroom. It is important to note that it this is not due to a lack of brilliant, funny and friendly colleagues, my school has those in spades, its just due to a lack of time and a lack of energy on my part.
Blogs can be accessed at any time of day, unlike colleagues' classrooms. There is not much time to enter a friend's classroom, sit down, put your feet up and simply chat. A good blog entry is like entering the mind of a brilliant friend and catching up.
For this week's blog post, we were asked to read over a blog post written by Tsisana Palmer: 9 Reasons Why Teachers Should Blog. This blog post provides 9 excellent reasons for why teachers should post. The reasons that truly resonated with me however are all self centered - to reflect - "to reveal your own story to you," and connect with others - to see that your experiences are not unique, that they are shared by others.
The internet is a limitless resource of effective and brilliant teaching ideas. Blogs are personalized site to glean the professional and personal thoughts of teachers, to take what you want and to leave the rest. You can learn from the mistakes of others or acquire the brilliance of others.
I am grateful for the requirement to access educator blogs and try out creating some of my own.
Colleen, you said "A good blog entry is like entering the mind of a brilliant friend." I already felt this reading your blog. I can relate to you with how little time you had last year. I too was a long term sub in a 1/2 classroom and, while I love the littles, it can be draining after days of not having an intellectual conversation. I love that you took some time to yourself to write this. While these times may be few and far between, it does feel good to have a space to express ourselves and relate to others. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteTate
Colleen, I echo Tate's take. I loved reading this and feeling a sense of you through your writing. Thanks for sharing. Kate
ReplyDeleteColleen, First of all I love your writing, have you ever considered writing a book? Just a thought in case education ever becomes boring lol. I related to your story of never leaving the classroom or having a minute to think during the day.
ReplyDeleteMany people, especially the first week of school, will ask me how my day or week went at the end of the day and I would say "I don't know, I don't remember" My days get so crazy and leave little room to stop and breathe and, well, reflect. I hope that our blog spaces allow us time to do those things during the week.
Jordyn
Hi Colleen, Thank you for sharing your blog. I will say that I agree. Teaching at times can make you feel isolated. As a Special Education Teacher/Case Manager, I try to make sure I am in all of my grade level classroom through out the day to support my grade level team as needed. This includes simple bathroom breaks. I feel like this along with pra support, helps to keep teachers from feeling so isolated and alone. I couldn't agree more that blogging seems to be a good way to just let it all out and speak your mind. Although I'm new to blogging, I am learning quickly! It is a great tool for many different reasons! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! -Tina
ReplyDeleteColleen, I suppose I hadn't given much thought to the social isolation aspect of things, personally. While I had been doing some substitute work, I seemed to usually be in a room with at least one dedicated para, and during my clinical components I had my SP to chat with during lunch, if nothing else. You do make a good point about the need to have some sort of adult interaction, and during the day isn't necessarily the best time for it. Between the level of busyness during the day, and then various commitments afterwards (club proctoring, staff meetings, or just a need to get home) there's little enough time to have a meaningful chat most of the time. I suppose blogs do allow for something of a substitute there. Though, while I do take you point, it seems like texting would be more my speed for such. Less insightful, perhaps, but also less public. And more possible to actually discuss the topic at hand - sure, comments can be left on a blog, but that might not be the most conducive option.
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