It seems hard to believe that this first quarter is coming to a close. Harder still to believe it when I glance at my still lengthy to-do list. It's been a very rewarding quarter, one to remember, for sure. Each day has presented me with new challenges in organization, priority, professionalism, self-motivation, skill, and practice. With these challenges as my fertilizer, I have grown. Along the way I've found certain elements to be just as I expected. Others have certainly surprised me.

My biggest concern, coming in, was that I wouldn't be able to find a teacher voice. I worried that perhaps I was too informal, too young, too green - not ready. But when I got in the classroom and stepped up the stage, I was surprised at how readily I morphed into the role. The kids respond to me in a productive way. I've found that if I'm confident, if I believe in my role and my ability to rise to the situation, I can. "If you build it, they will come." Of course, I'm still a touch informal, a touch too young, and a touch too green, but I am ready.

I am ready.

That has been the message that I've taken from this quarter. I'm not going to be perfect, and there is always much to learn. But If I've learned one thing in these last three months it's that I'm ready to start learning it, and practicing it.

Along that same train of thought, I'm excited for next quarter, and that's surprising in itself! I have found that I feel at my best when I'm involved in curriculum and pedagogy decision making. If I'm not, I can feel disconnected or useless. This quarter I was able to do a little bit of that with my unit planning. Next quarter, with my classes in math, literacy, and special education, I anticipate more planning, thus more connection with the everyday life of the classroom. So while six months ago I was dreading the upcoming workload, now I'm surprised to say that I'm eager to begin.

This year will be over as quickly as it began. It's important to absorb as much learning as I can along the way. Here's hoping that even more surprises and opportunities for learning are headed my way!


-Mr. Reni