Written by Photo Credit: cleartax.com
This year, I discovered the pleasure of a never-ending to do list.
Before you think I am crazy, let me clarify.
As a new teacher, I struggled with the constant feeling that I was behind. That every time I crossed something off the to do list, I realized there were two other tasks that had to be added. I spent my weekends obsessing about what I could be doing. Could I be planning instead of going out to lunch? Should I be marking instead of doing groceries. My to-do list acted a lot like gray hairs…they gave me some too. Through this first year, I constantly grappled with the feeling of being not enough – of always being one step behind and never being quite done.
I remember venting with a co-worker about this. She was a seasoned teacher and a mother of two, she must have this all figured out. Though I can’t remember her response exactly, I think it went something like this, “That feeling of being behind – that’s just adulthood.”
Over time, I came to terms with this feeling – the feeling of “adulthood”. Of course, I learned to streamline and work smarter and teaching got easier. But that feeling of being “behind” still hung in the air.
However, it was not until this Cohort experience, that I began to relish this feeling – the feeling that my job was never “done”. More specifically, the Cohort effect induced a great hunger in me. I began to realize that my teaching was never going to be done, and that was the beauty of it. Rather than something where I could tick boxes and move on I realized that teaching, real teaching, is more about learning. More specifically, the teacher that I wanted to be was also like the learner I wanted to create. This means someone who is constantly working and striving, taking joy in the effort, and relishing in the possibilities.
Through my Cohort experience, I got to truly throw myself into the role of life-long learner. I began to intentionally carve out time to learn and make myself better. I became comfortable with the discomfort of not knowing, and the pleasure of finding out. Most of all, I got to see the possibility and freedom of never being done.
Thank you to @shelleythomas and @lbettencourt for being fantastic facilitators! Take a peek at my final Action Plan reflection and slide deck below!
Dear Isabella,
Oh my sweet former student and fellow educator, your writing and insight remains just as fantastic as it was way back in grade ten English. My in box will never be at zero, my lesson plans will forever be changing, my to do list forever growing. I have learned to accept that and on good days, I even embrace it! I love a good to do list so much, I purchased a million dollar teacher day planner with daily/weekly and monthly divided to do lists! It’s heaven to this list maker.
Awesome design thinking question and modeling growth mindset for your students!
Please come find me on Tuesday so I can give you a big hug!
Mrs G/Danielle
I’ve been teaching for 27 years. I hate the feeling of being behind; however, it’s true that a teacher will almost always have more things coming on to their “to do” list than they have coming off. Nonetheless, I find the glorious feeling of clearing my list – especially my marking list – super motivating. If one completely loses sight of the possibility of clearing their list, then one might just give up… and that’s never a good place to be.
I’m so glad you are looking at this never ending “to-do list” with positivity and excitement @ibrown, it is a great reminder to others to alter our perspective on this teacher essential. I’m really looking forward to hearing more about your work this year at our final F2F!
Dear Isabella,
Thank you so much for your work over the course of this year: you’ve shared your journey in such a clear way, and this final post reflects your thoughtfulness and thoroughness of that reflection. I love that you’ve put student relationships at the heart of your work. I also appreciate your articulation of innovation as a series of small steps that keep you moving forward – even when one or two of those steps have you reflecting backwards.
I look forward to hearing more about your journey!
garth.