To complete the analysis of what I plan to add, to keep, and to toss as reenter the classroom, here are three things I’m not bringing back this time around:
1 - So much classroom decor - My previous classroom was a colorful, crammed assault on the senses. In my defense, I was in there for 23 years, and things just piled up. Posters, books, knick knacks - all part of my little home away from home in room 706.
I gave away most of my stuff when I went into admin, and I’m darn glad of it. (Though I am dearly missing my podcasting equipment at the moment …) The plan for my new classroom is sleek, simple, quiet. Imagine a cafe where you go to work and think and reflect. Honestly, this is going to take quite a bit of discipline on my part, but I know it’s the right thing for me, and for students who don’t need a bunch of tchotchkes in their space.
True confession though: I’m still making room for the disco ball. I mean, c’mon, there must be a little dance break every now and again!
2 - Spending weekends grading papers - Before I left the classroom, I taught dual enrollment English and AP English Language. Students wrote a lot. I tried to grade a lot. I also tried to build students’ ability to edit and revise, assess their own work, and practice their writing skills without concern for a score. But I never found that sweet spot.
My plan is to be so intentionally, ruthlessly focused on standards that the evidence students turn in for me to gauge their growth in meeting those standards is as sleek and essential as my new classroom. Quick and focused formative feedback, made possible by frequent and targeted station rotations, I hope will lead to more in-class and on-time assessment and fewer stacks of aging essays on my dining room table.
Much more to come on this topic, I’m sure …
3 - Stressing out about needing a sub - I’m entering my 30th year in education, and I probably have a year of sick leave at this point. You know, that’s fantastic, except that it represents days and weeks of me going to work sick, grieving, missing events at my daughter’s school, etc. I’m glad to have the time, but it represents a big regret for me.
I hate leaving my class with a sub, but it took a couple decades and a global pandemic for me to see that the alternative has been harmful to me, and ultimately, my students. I plan to take time when I need it and accept that sometimes, I do need it. Tough sell for sure.
The universe has a sense of humor and decided to test me: I have a jury summons for later this month. Saw it in the mailbox, instantly freaked out, and then decided …
I’m not doing that this time around.
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