Teaching is my JAM!

Today was one of those days as a teacher, that just all came together for me! It was the day that I could honestly say "Teaching is my jam!" See, I've been wanting to actually write my first post on this new blog I created for a while now. I have had so many ideas on how I would start it. Maybe the history of how I came to be a teacher. Maybe just getting right into the nitty gritty work I do on a daily basis. Or possibly start with a funny story. But, for some reason I couldn't find the perfect way to start. So, a couple months passed, with thoughts, stresses, and chaos of the new school year, and I've put it off. However, today, is worth writing about. So here, I will get the words on the page.

We had our Fullerton District staff day today. 600 teachers filled Ladera Vista Junior High to attend various sessions to learn about the topics of interest to us. I decided to collaborate with my incredible colleague, Emily McDougall, to create 2 sessions of our own. I've never presented anything outside of the basics of Back to School Night, and at small committee meetings. I knew that this had to be the time to just put it out there. We've been working so hard on practicing our craft in Reader's Workshop and Balanced Literacy, that we knew there was just so much to share. I have been so inspired and passionate about teaching the last couple of years especially, and knew it was time to take the next step. Emily has been such an awesome hype partner through it all, so I knew "we got this".

As nerve-racking as it was to stand in front of my colleagues and put myself and my work on display, it was also so worth it for me. I knew our perspective had to be shared. We are real. The struggle is real. But, we're not afraid to try knew things in our instruction, and share it all. But, the funny thing is that is not even close to why this day was extraordinarily special for me. 

After our first session,a very familiar face came up to me to say hello. It was my 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Nicholes. She is still teaching at Laguna Road where I went to elementary school. I actually got to have her in 1st and 2nd grade. She was my real first memory of an amazing teacher. She inspired me to want to teach because I would just watch her magic as she did her thing, teaching us young kiddos. She taught me how to read, how to love books, and how incredible school is. I loved school with Mrs. Nicholes, because she was THAT teacher for me.

So, there she was, standing in front of me, after watching my 50 minute session. I couldn't believe that Mrs. Nichols really came to learn from me! It was 1988 when I was last in her classroom... so 29 years later, here we are. We hugged, she complimented me on the presentation, and it felt good. It felt AMAZING. Like a big circle, coming back around after all these years. 

As fate would have it, I was also able to spend a couple of hours this afternoon, actually having time to focus on reflecting, and thinking back to what I'm grateful for. I never take time for myself to do this. With my own kids and busy life, it's hard to find time to pee and even take a breath most days. Of course there are so many things I am grateful for too... but when it comes to teaching and my career, I really am grateful for this work. I love what I do. But, what I love the most is the connections I make with my students, the parents, and my colleagues. It's those connections that drive me. It gives me the fuel to keep moving forward. To know that there is meaning in all of this. That there's a reason I am here, pouring my heart and soul into my work. It's really not to just teach. It's to connect, talk, learn, and grow. 

Well, I returned to work after our training today, and I go to check my email. And in my inbox is a message from Mrs. Nicholes. She writes "Thanks for a great seminar today! You were awesome. You have surpassed the abilities of your old teacher and I am so delighted! xoxo"  It's crazy that after all these year, and all these people that I have connected with along the way, this is the absolute greatest compliment I could receive. My teacher that I looked up to so much, who was the true foundation of my learning, has once again motivated me. It's like I'm 7 years old again, and feel ready to conquer the world because my teacher told me that I could. If I can even offer a slice of that hope for my students, then I know I'm being the best teacher I can be. 

I think all of us that work hard, and have passion for what we do, question ourselves along the way. Am I good enough? Will I succeed at this?  Well, today I feel like I am, and I will. Thank you Mrs. Nicholes for being a model and a mirror after all these years. You really are one of the foundational reasons that I am a teacher today...and I will continue to do this work until the day I retire.  And, maybe I will continue to write down this journey along the way too. After all, Teaching is my Jam!