I've never been a person to keep a journal. Which is funny, considering I do like to write. And read. And discuss things (to death...just ask my husband.) When blogs and vlogs started, I thought, "Who cares what I have to say? Do I even care what I have to say?" Now I wonder, did I miss out on something? Did I skip an important trend? Or will I just add to the cacophony around me with more pointless musing on education and testing and technology and other drivel? Or will I just talk about my dog, Princess, ad nauseam?
Well, as it turns out, the last two years of my life have been a turning point for me, professionally speaking. Two years ago this month (or thereabouts) the Director of Technology in my school district came to me and told me he was moving me out of the elementary school I'd been in for 13 wonderful and productive years, to face the wilds of middle and high school! I yelled, I cried. I spit like the Exorcist. I threw a tantrum. No, actually, I didn't do any of those things. Well, except cry for about 6 weeks, on and off. Once I accepted my fate, I did what I always do. I began making lists. To-do lists. Packing Lists. Lesson Plan Idea Lists. Lists of people I knew in each of the other buildings. Lists of things I'd need to leave the person who was replacing me. Lists of things I'd need to learn...like where are the bathrooms in the other schools? My lists starting needing a list of their own...my List of Lists.
Finally, I calmed down and over the summer, I decided to take a course called "Teens and Technology." I'd never taught kids older than 10, although I am certified K-12 ... it was a whole new world and I needed some knowledge of the teenage brain. It was very helpful to understand the mechanics I found once I was teaching Middle School, so that the emotions and behavior didn't seem so alien! Well, that helped me understand what I'd gotten myself into, at least!
Then September came, as it always does. I began working and accepting my new position, my new surroundings, the new people... and I found the bathrooms!
But I found so much more! I found I love teaching middle schoolers! They are funny, wise in some ways, and silly in others. I found new friends and new colleagues that have led me to new passions and new adventures. I became a truly connected educator, Tweeting like my life depended upon it. I got so deeply involved in new educational opportunities for myself, but also opportunities to represent the district in which I work, that I don't remember a time that I didn't know the people who work so hard with me on making edcampLI the huge success it is, or a time when I didn't know the answer to, "Mrs. Beberman, I want to use a variable with velocity in SCRATCH...how do I do that?" I have gotten to know every person in the entire district from Kindergarten Monitor to Chemistry teacher, TAs to Orchestra Teacher, Principal to Custodian, and from Secretary to Guidance Counselor. Which leads me to where I am today...
I'm on the verge of another new assignment, although this one is only for a year, it is again exciting, and nerve-wracking. I will be the "Teacher on Special Assignment," doing full-time Professional Development for the staff of all three buildings in the district. My friend Chris Kauter says, "You're gonna love it;" my supervisor, Dave Casamento says, "You're going to be perfect at it;" and, my husband, ever the cockeyed optimist says, "Well, it's only for a year if you hate it!" I can't wait to try it. In the meantime, I've been nominated for a BAMMY award by Dr. Danielle Gately and invited to the prestigious edcampUS DOE at the end of May, and the team I mentioned above is planning the second edcampLI for October. None of that would have happened if two years ago this month (or thereabouts) I hadn't been told I was being kicked out of my comfort zone. So, I have lists to make and ideas are coming faster than i can write. At least this time, I know where ALL the bathrooms are!
Well, as it turns out, the last two years of my life have been a turning point for me, professionally speaking. Two years ago this month (or thereabouts) the Director of Technology in my school district came to me and told me he was moving me out of the elementary school I'd been in for 13 wonderful and productive years, to face the wilds of middle and high school! I yelled, I cried. I spit like the Exorcist. I threw a tantrum. No, actually, I didn't do any of those things. Well, except cry for about 6 weeks, on and off. Once I accepted my fate, I did what I always do. I began making lists. To-do lists. Packing Lists. Lesson Plan Idea Lists. Lists of people I knew in each of the other buildings. Lists of things I'd need to leave the person who was replacing me. Lists of things I'd need to learn...like where are the bathrooms in the other schools? My lists starting needing a list of their own...my List of Lists.
Finally, I calmed down and over the summer, I decided to take a course called "Teens and Technology." I'd never taught kids older than 10, although I am certified K-12 ... it was a whole new world and I needed some knowledge of the teenage brain. It was very helpful to understand the mechanics I found once I was teaching Middle School, so that the emotions and behavior didn't seem so alien! Well, that helped me understand what I'd gotten myself into, at least!
Then September came, as it always does. I began working and accepting my new position, my new surroundings, the new people... and I found the bathrooms!
But I found so much more! I found I love teaching middle schoolers! They are funny, wise in some ways, and silly in others. I found new friends and new colleagues that have led me to new passions and new adventures. I became a truly connected educator, Tweeting like my life depended upon it. I got so deeply involved in new educational opportunities for myself, but also opportunities to represent the district in which I work, that I don't remember a time that I didn't know the people who work so hard with me on making edcampLI the huge success it is, or a time when I didn't know the answer to, "Mrs. Beberman, I want to use a variable with velocity in SCRATCH...how do I do that?" I have gotten to know every person in the entire district from Kindergarten Monitor to Chemistry teacher, TAs to Orchestra Teacher, Principal to Custodian, and from Secretary to Guidance Counselor. Which leads me to where I am today...
I'm on the verge of another new assignment, although this one is only for a year, it is again exciting, and nerve-wracking. I will be the "Teacher on Special Assignment," doing full-time Professional Development for the staff of all three buildings in the district. My friend Chris Kauter says, "You're gonna love it;" my supervisor, Dave Casamento says, "You're going to be perfect at it;" and, my husband, ever the cockeyed optimist says, "Well, it's only for a year if you hate it!" I can't wait to try it. In the meantime, I've been nominated for a BAMMY award by Dr. Danielle Gately and invited to the prestigious edcampUS DOE at the end of May, and the team I mentioned above is planning the second edcampLI for October. None of that would have happened if two years ago this month (or thereabouts) I hadn't been told I was being kicked out of my comfort zone. So, I have lists to make and ideas are coming faster than i can write. At least this time, I know where ALL the bathrooms are!