tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post6520249320514040863..comments2009-04-10T09:27:55.186-05:00Mr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960561773050547167noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-32449063162333521872009-04-10T09:27:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:27:00.000-05:00I started my blog in part because I was trying to decide whether to continue teaching. The blog has provided the sustenance I needed. Now, all my challenges are "material" for writing, and writing about them reminds me that the problems are in part WHY I'm teaching: the obstacles are what help me learn and grow instead of settling into a comfortable and easy life. I teach because it gives meaning to my life, but also because it gives me stuff to write about!<BR/><BR/>Siobhan<BR/>http://siobhancurious.wordpress.com/siobhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291764631089279169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-83887853450116367092009-04-05T09:47:00.000-05:002009-04-05T09:47:00.000-05:00I teach at an alt ed school, and some nights I want to quit. Throw down my whiteboard marker and go running out of the classroom screaming expletives on my way out the gates--that kind of quit. But I come back night after night--and year after year. Teaching is sometimes a day by day commitment. Forever is a long time when you're in the weeds, but before you know it, years pass.HappyChyckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586840416488114845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-29438401048344909842009-03-31T15:50:00.000-05:002009-03-31T15:50:00.000-05:00LOVE this post! I've featured it in this month's accolades at The Cornerstone:<BR/><BR/>http://thecornerstoneforteachers.blogspot.com/2009/03/cornerstone-accolades-march-2009.htmlAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13550253754211140493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-84140473727591116792009-03-30T19:38:00.000-05:002009-03-30T19:38:00.000-05:00I have pretty much always taught at alternative schools. I get that feeling every now and then, when it all seems so overwhelming. This year, I signed my contract with joy, which was, in fact, unusual. <BR/><BR/>Keep on keepin' on!Tiki Martinhttp://tikimartin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-74105870947478033912009-03-29T10:53:00.000-05:002009-03-29T10:53:00.000-05:00Thank you for your words of encouragement! I like the idea of enjoying teaching forever... it takes a lot of reflection and positive thinking to remember that I do enjoy so much of it. <BR/><BR/>I have a feeling some things are going to change, especially concerning standardized testing, before President Obama's term is over. We'll see!Mr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960561773050547167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-22841567120276842732009-03-27T20:21:00.000-05:002009-03-27T20:21:00.000-05:00I can totally relate. I have felt more conflicted this year than any other. After 19 yrs of teaching elementary, it was supposed to get "easier", I thought. Now, it's more intense, the work load is outrageous, and I am beat at the end of the day, where I have little energy left for my own kid. But, I do love teaching. There's nothing like it. How exhilirating it is to watch your students discover things on their own, solve their own problems, grow up? How about "I Want to ENJOY Teaching Forever?" Admin and policy makers are taking away the joy...<BR/><BR/>Hang in there - it's obvious in the way you write, that you do still want to do this great job forever. I'm with you.Cassyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01773053134937944674noreply@blogger.com