Pre-BlendED

Although I didn't get to work on my drawings as much as I wanted over the summer, I did do a few and learned several things.  

1. I'm glad they pay me to teach because art is hard.
2. I'm better painting small things close up than landscapes.
3. I have a hard time being disciplined enough to paint/or write.

When I started watercolors, it was to fill in my meeting doodles (which I have since learned is called "SketchNoting"--Thanks #Hive_Summit!).  Doing them helps me relax, breathe and slow down.  

On a similar note, after taking the Bellevue Techie Squad's BlendED PD this summer, I learned several things.

1. I'm glad they pay me to teach because teaching is hard.
2. I'm better at visualizing large units than I am working on the details of those lessons.
3. I have a hard time being disciplined enough to write my blog and promote what's happening in my classroom.  

When I started teaching, it was to change the world one child at a time.  Now starting my 23rd year in the classroom, I don't feel all that effectual.  However, as the visit from one of my favorite former students yesterday proved to me, even though I don't get a lot of independent verification, I touch lives.  

With that in mind, I'm starting this year trying to stay fresh.  This is my fourth year teaching 8th grade English in Bellevue.  I'm getting into a pattern and having to create fewer and fewer resources.  After all, I can just do what I did last year, right?

Wrong.  I would simply die of boredom.  That, and with the ever changing state test, I have to evolve to stay relevant to what my kids need to be considered educated.  With that in mind, I'm setting some goals to me and for this year.  (And yes, those goals will be SMART)!

This is relatively ambitious for me and doesn't even touch my personal goals (Lost Creek was so much fun, I'd LOVE to do a loop there--but they are 25 miles long and I had trouble hiking four miles with my pack at 10k+).  

It's going to be a fun year.  I know that for absolute certain.  Here's to a shiny new chance to change lives and live my best life.