As I was watching each of you write your reflections over the past few days, it made me want to sit down and do some reflecting of my own. For me, this year started off a little bumpy. I got thrown a curve ball and my expectation wasn't met. I was hired to teach 10th grade English and ended up teaching 7th grade Humanities. At first, I only thought it was 7th grade English only to find out that it would be social studies too, the day before we had to report to classes. I found myself a little bitter and resentful because I wasn't prepared (and I like to be prepared).
So the first month was a challenge. I had an advisory and then I didn't. I was teaching too many classes and then I wasn't. Straddling the middle and high school was tough, but eventually I found my groove. The first high point for me was having the opportunity to do the Community Map project. I spent all day Sunday drawing my map and writing my stories to make a model for each of you only to ruin it before I got into class when I spilled my coffee on it. I was disappointed, but still proud of my work. I did my best to try and clean up the drips. Each of you responded to my sharing my work really well and I began to feel inspired to teach you despite how unqualified I felt to teach your age group.
Before the time I didn't feel like I was doing a good job. I could tell my vocabulary was tough for you and so many of you were afraid to ask me to explain myself which made me feel badly. But as we moved into the more social studies work with different group work assignments we had and I got to know each of you better, I really felt good about teaching our humanities class.
Once I hit my stride, you guys were doing projects and classwork well. But when we had that impromptu debate about the Boston Massacre, I really felt like I had made it. You were all asking such sophisticated questions and you were engaged and interested. There is no better feeling as a teacher to see all of your students involved.
Conferencing with each of you on writing, or having some of you in during the morning reading group also gave me an opportunity to get to know some of you more. You offered me the opportunity to push you and met me at challenge. I really enjoyed watching you learn.
The projects continually got more sophisticated and yes, everytime a new one was given we heard the usual chorus of "oohs and ahs" and "ah no, not another ones". Yet, your reflections were getting stronger and your writing better. You were reading primary sources and original documents and comparing them. But mostly you were doing it on your own even with the complaining.
You all have impressed and inspired me this year. I noticed it the most during the exit project presentations. Each of you took ownership of your hard work and proudly taught the class what you had done. For a second, or two, you had the opportunity to see what it is like to be in front of the class and know something so well that you could share it and answer questions. Thank you for making me proud, but more importantly know for yourself what a wonderful accomplishment this year has been. Your bodies of work are abundant and you should be proud of where you have come.
As a teacher, this year has given me so much. I wasn't prepared for it, but it tested my ability to be flexible. It forced me to remember why I teach. It's the amazing shimmer in each of your eyes when you get something for the first time. Or when you see your potential, the way I see it and all the pushing and all the work is worthwhile. I know I'm tough, but I try to do it with kindness and consistency. I try to treat everyone they way they deserve to be treated. I feel like a better teacher after this experience. Much like a lot of you, I dragged my feet in the beginning almost unwilling to accept where I was, only to discover that the opportunity would enrich me in a way I didn't know possible. (and each of you have a better vocabulary for it:-)
I enjoyed having the opportunity to brush up on so many things I haven't thought about in a really long time. It forced me to be a better citizen. In an election year, in particular, I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be reminded of the amazing freedoms we have in our country. I mean, sure we have made a lot of mistakes as a country and may continue to do so, but who hasn't as an individual? Overall, we do a lot of things right and we celebrated that in our class. We also questioned what we didn't agree with and we can do that in our country too. That is another freedom we have, the ability to question our leaders and make a real difference.
Thank you for all the wonderful memories and moments. Although I won't be teaching middle school next year, I will still be around. I will come to fitness in the morning and I will keep the book club running. If any of you ever need me, I won't be far away. Never hesitate to ask for help.
A few highlights for me from the year:
Putting out 3 newspapers with some help from my seventh and eighth graders
Community Map presentations
Boston Massacre Debates
13 colony skits and scrapbook gallery walk
constitution presentations - and competition
Philadelphia Trip
Triangular Trade lesson
Revolutionary War Blogs
Many jigsaws
Reading your slavery poetry
working with Ms. G and watching you all work with Ms. G
Revision, revision, revision... watching your writing improve
Exit projects
Spirit Week - sports nights in particular (basketball and volleyball)
Fitness - kickball ... I love playing on my seventh grader team, we rock... unobstructed homeruns all the way... don't forget to push the "red button"
Reading your portfolio reflections...
Have a great summer.
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7 comments:
Dear Ms.Sackstein,
As I read your reflection it really touched me. All of a sudden I was reminded of the first couple months of school. Even though you weren't prepared you made it seem that you had it all under control. I really learned alot from you as an individual. Thanks for being such a great teacher! Have a great Summer as well to you and to your family.
=]~Stephaneie T. 702
Thank you very much, Stephanie. I hope you feel that whatever you learned, you can use it in the future.
Sometimes in life, even when we don't know things, it is important to first admit we don't and then do everything we can to know as much as we can. I learned a lot this year:-)
Wow Ms.Sackstein, I have to say this reflection touched me too. I remember when it was the first day of school and we were in your advisory, you looked so happy and exciting and it made me feel welcomed to the school which made it even harder when we didn't have our advisory anymore. It is really hard for me to learn things fast, so you showing your own examples really helped me. I'm glad i got to be part of your newspaper class, even tho i didn't show up as much as i had to. I'm really going to miss you next year because you made me realised that i'm capeable of doing a lot and that my work is good when i put all my heart in it. I hope you have a lot of fun next year and hopefully since you're going to have my brother you could help him want to be in school everyday =)
-Andrea
702
I have much sadness about the fact that my advisory was taken away. It was one of the things I was really looking forward to. I feel like I still had an opportunity to get close with you guys though. I'm glad the first day was a good day for you, too, Andrea. I really enjoyed it however short it was.
Hopefully, I will inspire your brother too!
wow mrs sackstein ;
while i was reading your reflection; it touched me . you are an amazing teahcre and even though im probably one of your students who donst particapite in class. i still think that you are amazing becuase you have put up with 702 and 731 and we are all a hadfull . put yet you have maneged to pull threw . im going to miss you so much next year . you have made a ig inpact in m life as an idividual and as a 7th grade hummanities learner !* i hope you and your family will have a great 2OO8 summer ")
- maria .m 7O2
Every year is a handful in its own way, Maria. One thing I have learned over the years and continue to be reminded of is that kids are going through their own stuff... your lives are complicated as is mine and rarely what goes on in class is the whole story. I'm slowly learning to not take it so personally and allow you all the space to be who you need to be. You should really be proud of what you brought to the class. You worked hard and next year, you will work harder because you understand what the payoff will be. Have a great summer.
Ms. Sackstein your refection was so touching. Now I see what honest reflecting really is. I think it was an honor to have you as a teacher this year. You challenged 702 and 731 and showed us we can do more than we thought we could. We were just too lazy to try but you really showed me I could do more than I thought I could! Even though you weren't prepared to teach 7th grade you seemed like you were more prepared than us, but it was the first day of school everyone was nervous. Honestly I thought you gave too much work but now I appreciate it, because I learned so much from your class and after I completed all that work I felt proud even if I didn't get the best grade. Just getting something for doing it and trying my best is enough for me and all I would ask for.
Thanks for a great year Ms.Sackstein
=]♥ ~ Michelle
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