I've been a teacher for 16 years, but I still know who I want to be when I grow up.
My second year of teaching, I attended the summer invitational at the Red Cedar Writing Project. The director of Red Cedar at the time was Janet Swenson, and she still embodies to me what I want to be as an educator. Besides being brilliant and reflective, insightful and intellectual, she has this really rare gift of helping other people see what is good in themselves. Even though I was only a 2nd year teacher, and basically did not know at all what I was doing, she picked out the good from all the wrong headed ideas I had about teaching and helped me to see them too. She didn't focus on what I needed to improve (basically everything), but helped me to feel empowered to build on my strengths. Over the years, I saw her do this for every teacher she came in contact with. Her celebration of what a person does well makes it much easier to be open to work on aspects of teaching that are not so perfect. Being able to see the best in my students is one of the guiding principles in my effort to be more like Janet. I try to remind myself of that in times like now--the grey days of Farch (February/March--one big, long, never-ending month) when I'm buried in grading and meetings and question if students are making progress or if Spring Break will ever come. I try to reset my vision to see the beautiful phrase, the smart argument move, the leap in reading. I try to look at my students with gentleness and love, and I try to look at myself that way too. Seeing what is best in others is a practice that takes a lot of courage. I am still trying to be the teacher that I want to be when I grow up, but I'm hopefully getting there thanks to powerful mentors like Janet.
4 Comments
Shelly
3/2/2019 08:57:59 am
What an inspiring slice! Janet sounds like a mentor everyone needs! Finding the good and focusing on positives is not always easy and definitely helps to have that person to help you do so yourself! Looks like you are definitely on the right track! Also love the word “Farch”! That’s a new one for me!
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Alaina Feliks
3/4/2019 03:48:12 am
I stole "Farch" from a colleague, but it really captures what the months are like where we live here in Michigan--cold, grey, endless!
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3/2/2019 05:43:20 pm
Looking for one good in every one. This is a beautiful concept. You had a wonderful mentor. Reading it, I am in whole hearted agreement with you that
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Alaina Feliks
3/4/2019 03:50:55 am
Yes, Pruviben! The NWP summer institute was the BEST professional development that I ever did, and as a NWP teacher consultant, I have gotten access to more great professional learning, teaching opportunities and a network of amazing people from all over the country. As a writer yourself, I know you will love it.
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