What Ten Years Can Do

So as all of you know, I went back to work this week. I have now attended two days that were full of meetings and one day over at my new school. It has been eight years since I taught full-time and ten years since I opened the school I am returning to as a teacher this fall. I have noticed some things this week that are vastly different.....all in just ten years.

1. There are specific rules for cell phones and ipods at school. I think cell phones were still giant when I taught last....you know, like the kind that had antennas which easily could poke an eye out. Now they are small, inconspicuous, and they type.

2. There is something called a dot camera that is readily used in the classroom. HELP!!! I have no idea what this is and I didn't want to ask and look dumb because everybody else knew what it was except for me and another returning housewife (we talked about this too). Now that I'm typing this I realize it would've been better to have asked than to announce my ignorance to the entire blogging world....oh well.

3. Modesty is gone out the window for the majority of junior high students. Thank you for being a good example all of you out there who still care about what your appearance means to those around you :0) I am a little bummed that I can't wear my spandex and midriff to school....it would've looked so nice.

4. There is A LOT of technology.....I don't know where to start. I can hardly control this blogspot and it took me 3 1/2 hours to figure out how to input info. on my son's football team website that I am in charge of updating. This could prove highly difficult.

5. Lesson plans....this one is crazy. In order to plan, I have a set of state standards, a course syllabus, a set of county standards, the power standards and the course benchmarks. Somehow I'm supposed to combine all of these items into one lesson. Maybe the one room schoolhouse wasn't so bad after all.

6. My body is definitely not fitting as well into my teacher's chair, teaching clothes, and isle ways. Must start exercising.....just think if I had started that ten years ago....

7. Clark county school district has raised my salary about $13,000 since the 90's. Too bad it's still very low compared to the cost of living here and most teacher's cannot buy homes until they have a master's degree.

8. My brain is not functioning right. I spent an hour and a half standing in my empty room figuring out where I wanted my desk to be. It seems like before I just picked a spot and went with it. This time around, I went through about 30 scenarios of where the students would come in, how they would sit etc. etc. Most of the time, I just sat there too overwhelmed to do anything and then finally it all came to me and I moved all the furniture myself including the wardrobe closets because I didn't want to wait for the janitors to do it.

9. Another ten year change....my back cannot handle moving wardrobe closets. I paid for my impatience. when did my body go straight downhill?

10. And lastly, most things have not changed. Teachers are still the people who shape and mold the world's future. Students are all inherently good and desire to do well in their lives. The four walls of a classroom are still empty canvasses waiting to be filled with motivating posters, student work, and colorful artwork. And public education has still revolutionalized our nation. That's pretty awesome!

So amidst all the changes, I find myself rededicated to the task at hand. My panic and confidence are shifting places on a regular basis, so I jump from highs to lows on a moment's notice. I wonder if I can reach all of my students? Can I give them something more in their life? Can I help them know they are special, unique, and so precious in this world? Can I be an example that will someday come back to them in a positive light? Can I motivate them to want to seek knowledge? Can I help them embrace diversity and relish in life's differences? Can I help them feel the love I have for each of them? Can I be a teacher they will remember because they felt secure in my classroom? Can I provide the consistency needed to raise the expectations of every child? Can I teach and respect every child the way I would like my child taught and respected? These are the questions that plague my mind nightly. When I finished college, I was ready to go out and change the world. I didn't ask questions.....I just went and did it. After having children and knowing the importance of my position, I feel the weight of the task at hand. My job makes a difference.....every day to every child. I can lift them higher than they believe they can with my attitude, desire, and enthusiasm. So really, the question is not "Can I?"....it is "Will I?"

Will I help one of Heavenly Father's children to see their potential, grasp onto their future, and reach for their goals? Yes.......without a doubt yes!!!! This is going to be an awesome year :)