2018 is off to a fantastic start. Especially coming out of the worst part of 2017. Some highs, lows, and especially ugly. But that’s over and in the past it’ll stay. Let’s get back to the present.
2018. It’s my year to be selfish. I’m making time for me, and the things that make me happy and let me tell you how wonderfully that’s going. It’s day 17 of the new year and I’ve had a smile on my face every single day. It’s refreshing. It rejuvenating. I already feel like a new me. Well, maybe it’s because I just had my first work day in the past five days.
This year has started off quite strong on the winter front. Snow, ice, freezing temps. You name it and we’ve gotten called off for it. I’m not complaining, it’s given me many days to do things I love that I haven’t done in a long time. Reading, I couldn’t tell you the last time I have read so many books, start to finish in one sitting as I’ve been able to do the past few weeks. I’m currently in the middle of books 6,7 and 8 of my 30 books for the year challenge. It’s amazing how much you can do when you make time for it. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve had chills run down my spine. All in the name of literature. It’s liberating, I’ve been to so many places without ever leaving my cozy chair in my warm apartment. It’s something I’ve neglected for too long and now that it’s back, it’s addicting and I can’t get enough.
Something else I started doing more of, writing. It sounds cliche for the English teacher to be reading and writing, but honestly, you forget why you used to love it so much when you’re teaching it all the time. Most of the time, I’m only reading or writing for the kids sake. Not for myself. I’ve decided there needs to be a healthy balance of both. Reading and writing for the kids and for pleasure. I think that passion spills out to the kids and they see it for the good.
Speaking of my students. I’ve been so excited to start this quarter that all these snow days are throwing off my groove. My 8th graders are starting to read one of my absolute favorite books, Forged by Fire. We read the first page and a half and the gasps and sighs and “oh my gods” I got out of them reminded me of why I teach. Every single one was holding on to my every word and listening so intently to what was going to happen next. This book is real for them. They’ve gone through situations similar, if not identical to the main character in the book and they’re able to relate. It’s sad, but it’s the truth and my favorite thing to teach them about is Resilience. I can’t wait to see where we go with this book.
As for the rest of the year I’m looking forward to trying new things, traveling and doing the things I want to do.
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