There has been that “thing” missing from my teaching this year. You know…that secret teacher mojo. Things have been going smoothly, we have done some really neat things, but something has been missing. A student today told me something along the lines of ”You know, you try to come across as happy person, but you are really not.” Got to love having open relationships with your kids huh? She is right, this year hasn’t been my happiest. Something happened in the beginning of the year that has made me hold back (sorry to write in code). I question what someone’s reaction is going to be to everything I do, and so I have decided to play it safe for a year.
I am noticing a huge difference with the kids. I have been playing it safe, and they are too. They lack that edge, that bite, that growl, that tenacity to try anything and leap tall buildings that they would normally do at this time of year…and so do I.
“Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.”
Tom Robbins
My class is stuck on “being sober, cautious, and responsible.” I need to somehow balance my need to watch my back this year, with “being playful, rebellious, and immature.”
I hope you are able to find your teaching mojo!
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I think all teachers who are playful, rebellious, and immature can relate to what you are saying. It is scary to put people like us within a school environment, because no matter how much schools and parents claim they want happy, educated children, what most end up wanting are sober, cautious, and responsible citizens.
It is hard to balance it, and I do not know what happened to you to cause you to be cautious, but let that prankster out once in a while. Both you and your kids will appreciate it.
Tom Robbins quote was a nice touch by the way. Another piece of your puzzle. I have read all his books and enjoy them immensely.