Today is the last day of 2018, and it's time to reflect on how my one little has served me the past 364 days.
Choosing one little word gives me a reflective way to approach the new year and a focus to carry me through the year. This year has been no different. My one little words in the past years have been:
2013 - Search
2014 - Reach
2015 - Turn
2016 - Intent
2017 - Rise
This year STEP was my word. I chose this word because I was starting a new journey, and I believe that every new journey starts with the first step.
When I chose STEP, I was three months into graduate school. There were many days when I questioned my decision. After all, I was 54 at the time, and old minds just don't work the way they used to. There were tears. And so many doubts.
I not only learned about curriculum and instruction, but I also learned what it was like to be a student again. I was walking in the shoes of my students, and I followed in their metaphorical steps. I think I have become a better teacher not necessarily because of my degree, but because I understand my students in a whole different level. I understand the struggles of analyzing and summarizing, reading difficult texts and writing about them, and staring at a blank page - wishing the words would just come to me. I understand about the power of feedback and how important its timeliness is. I understand about doing things that are just downright hard, yet persevering. And I understand the power of learning.
We take one STEP at a time!
As I say goodbye to STEP and 2018, I can't wait to share my word for 2019!
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