Last night, I was sitting with some colleagues, and we were talking about what influenced us to become teachers. When you are sitting in a group of professional educators, you get to skip the snarky "June, July, and August" comment, common among your (most) annoying relative or that salesperson who doesn't realize s/he just lost a sale ... for me, I was a fourth grader, sitting in Mrs. Opatz's classroom, at conferences with my parents. I can still remember the room, the table we were sitting at, and how the idea, "Maybe, I will grow up to become a teacher ..." left me with wonder, excitement, and awe. I would relive that moment repeatedly in the decade to come, weighing the decision, defending the dream, and focused on attaining this goal that from that moment at my fourth grade conference, was filled with such clarity, a missing puzzle piece finding its home in my heart and being. After eighteen years of teaching, it still feels like it has only just begun!
As a teacher, "summer" looks different than the school year. Thankfully daily homework is paused and the pace shifts into a different gear. At the same time, I am always a teacher. I attend Tsunami with my daughter, and I run into a former student (an "alumni") who now lives out of state. Her mom takes our picture.
There is the parade in the neighboring town where you stand proudly as your alumni march past, representing our community with such class and dignity.
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| Milaca High School Marching Band at the Foley Parade - June 2014 |
There is the hometown parade, where you gather with your colleagues for a picnic supper, catching up on the two weeks apart, trying to corral all our combined children as they scamper and play, as we wait our turn to proudly represent our school and march in the parade.
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| We handed out pencils, frisbees, stickers, and some candy. |
There are the MANY activities I attend as a parent, supporting my own children and their interests. I see my alumni and their families.
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| Prairie Fire Theater Presents "The Wizard of Oz" |
Then there was the week, I spent organizing pictures, labeling pictures, printing pictures, addressing envelopes, writing a letter, more organizing pictures, and sending a greeting to all 50 of my students. Who doesn't love mail?!
I attended the School Board Meetings in June and July. I've attended four local school board meetings in the last year. My children packed bags to entertain themselves. I set them up at the meeting; including extra special incentives for their quiet, and I listened to the proposals and decisions. In June, I also had an opportunity to speak with one of the board members. I expressed my concerns about class sizes. My attendance has a dual purpose. I am a parent, and these elected officials are making decisions that impact my children and their learning. I also am a teacher. I have a vested interest in my students and their learning experience.
As we building our dream home this summer, we find ourselves at many local places of business making arrangements for materials, labor, and asking for a lot of help. We (my husband is also a teacher) run into many of our alumni and their families. We are so proud and thankful to be part of a wickedly (a pun on the previous picture from the Wizard of Oz) smart community with skills and talents to build our home. I can barely manage to use the basic tools of a hammer, nails, and pliers on good day!! I am impressed with our local experts and their teams! Their efforts and connections with the other contractors are another reason to be proud to be a part of the Milaca community!!
Slowly, without conscious thought, an "itch" in the back of my mind begins to develop ... in my heart, there is a pitter-patter of creativity calling ... a recycled notebook is pulled into service to start jotting down ideas ...
There was a Friday in July when I sent my family to Fan Fest as I headed to a meeting at school. We were going to look at some of our programs we offer for students determine what was working, what could be streamlined, and make some plans for the upcoming school year. (Not going to lie ... this was a difficult day to be responsible.)
There was a trip to the beach at Father Hennepin State Park. I ran into one of my students and her family! There are newly published children's books to read in preparation for a special future student who is looking for just the right book ... There are bi-weekly tennis games with fellow teachers where we inspire and share our ideas ... there are gatherings around a campfire with more friends in education ... and the excitement for the potential in a new school year continues to be renewed and grow.
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| Father Hennepin State Park Beach |
One night, the family is draped across the living room furniture, exhausted from another day of sunshine, activity, and fun. The notebook of ideas is calling for some action ... and slowly the ideas begin to take shape ...
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| Then you need to BUILD it ... |
This week, I packed my children up for three days and two nights of fun with their grandparents. I arrived at the campus of St. Bens in St. Joseph for a three day workshop with Education Minnesota with at least ten colleagues.
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| Sunrise at St. Bens, just before I started my five mile run |
For me, teaching is my profession. My school year is interwoven into the fabric of my everyday. The 2014-2015 school year starts in a month ... and I will be ready and excited to begin!
