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Saturday, August 25, 2012

And She Awakens...


Sleeping Beauty was the first movie I can remember seeing in an actual movie theatre.  It wasn't on its first run, though.  It was a summer matinee for kids in an air-conditioned theatre, not at a drive-in.  

I was so excited!  

Maybe that is why it holds such a special place in my heart--the first movie I didn't have to watch from the back seat of a hot car with two giant heads in front of me!!  

Regardless, I identify with this princess who lives, sleeps, and reawakens, more than most of the other mainstream princesses.  You see, the teacher part of me hibernates in the summer and now, with just a hint of Fall scent in the air, she awakens, her task before her.

Ah, the task.

As I was beginning to get ready for this school year, I read this post by Robin LeFevers about being silenced as a writer and finding power in your own voice.  Normally, it would have struck a chord deep within me anyway, but because the Sleeping Teacher was awakening, it took on new meaning.  And so, with a new brilliant school year dancing before me, I thought of Seven Things* I want to remember in my teaching this year:

1.  I want my students to find the power of their own voices.  I never want them to feel silenced.  I want them to see their writing notebooks as a place that is always safe.

2.  I want the classroom community to reflect the wonder of childhood and of each individual student.

3.  I want Curiosity to abound!!

4.  I want to remember the beauty we awaken to each day and I want to remind my students to stop, look, listen, smell, and appreciate.

5.  I want to keep the crushing realities of budget cuts as far away from the children in my class as possible.

6.  I want my students to feel empowered by learning.  Not overwhelmed by it. (Or worse...underwhelmed.)

7.  I want to allow teaching to fill me up, not drain me.  It's all about perspective.

And so, with an excited heart, I am off to conquer another year living and writing side-by-side thirty-two eight years olds.

Life is good.

*My second post on Seven Things in honor of The Seven Tales of Trinket.  Hoping to squeeze five more in before September 4th when it releases!!  When it rains it pours!

hrh

10 comments:

Jessie Oliveros said...

I want you to be my child's teacher!

Jessie Oliveros said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jessie Oliveros said...

Don't you hate it when you double post the same comment, then delete the second one, but blogger leaves it behind with "comment has been removed by author" so that every one who reads the comments section wonders what you REALLY said? Me too.

Catherine Denton said...

Sleeping Beauty is my favorite too!! She takes a nap and gets a prince. What's not to love? Wishing you an incredible school year AND release of Trinket!
Catherine Denton

Jess said...

I'm with Jessie! I hope my daughter's teacher (when she starts school in a couple of years) has such an enthusiasic, heartfelt response to the schoolyear starting!

Christina Lee said...

Oh my goodness Sept. 4th is almost HERE!!!! squeee. And I love your list, number one makes my heart sing.

Natalie said...

I got teary reading this! I wish you were my daughter's teacher!

Lydia Kang said...

Hooray for keeping curiosity abounding everywhere!

Kelly Polark said...

I love it.
And oh how budget cuts are in every school. I do not love that.

I also wish you were my child's teacher!!

My first movie in a movie theater was Bambi for my 4th or 5th bday.

ANE said...

I wish you were my teacher. Your list is fab!