As I wrap up the year of 2016, I need to reflect upon where I have been and where I want to go. 2016 was a great year for for me as an educator. I finished my first year as a 5th and 6th grade social studies teacher and I learned the intricacies of being responsibility for a variety of preps. I gained great insight into the minds of elementary and middle school students. I grew as a teacher and mentor. I also learned the importance of Twitter as a tool for professional development and growing my PLN. I would say that my word for 2016, Passion, was a driving force behind all that I did. I know that my passion for education has grown and I know that I will still use passion as a special word for me.
Now as we begin 2017, my new word for this year will be perspective. I need to keep what I do in perspective of where my students are. I need to ensure that my perspective remains on what is best for my students. I need to venture out and see new perspectives on what other teachers are doing and how they are educating their students. I also need the perspective of seeing my actions and how I treat others through the eyes of my students. I need to remain fair and just to all my students.
Perspective is defined as “a particular attitude towards or way of seeing something.” My perspectives on many educational topics differ than those of other teachers in my building. Even though we differ, I cannot simply say that they are wrong and that I am right. I need to see perspectives on educational topics from the viewpoints of those that differ from mine. Perspectives are what make us unique.
I also need to allow students to show their perspectives through creativity. I want students to share their perspectives on topics that we discuss in class. I want students to have their perspective recognized as important.
Perspective is also important to my career. I need to reflect on what side of education I want to continue. Do I want to remain as a teacher in the classroom everyday or do I want to join the perspective of administration? Perspective will be an essential area of reflection for me in the upcoming months. I also know that I will be tapping into the minds of many fine administrators that I have been able to learn from and call my PLN on Twitter to see where they can lead me.
Perspective is going to be an area of growth for me. I will stay focused on my perspective and be open to new perspectives of the many fine educators that I call my friends.
Cottos Corner for Education 