If you catch yourself saying "I've seen it all", you are either lying or wilfully blind -- either way, you are a part of the problem.
You haven't seen it all.
No one has.
If a 6 year old said this, an adult might chastise them for being an ignorant know-it-all, and yet that same adult might say it and consider themselves experienced.
Hmm... have I posted this response to something else? Who will remember. I was chatting with my intern and tried to explain to her where I saw myself as a professional. I've taught thirty years and have five to ten more left in me (no promises). I suppose I have to acknowledge all those years of professional experience. I have seen and done much and I think my repertoire is helpful in a pinch. Never-the-less I go into each year feeling something like new teacher.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot step into the same stream twice and each time you step in you are a different person. Schools, children, curriculum, and resources constantly transform; and so do I. My values, goals, and perspective have changed as well. It makes each day an interesting dynamic. If you don't give yourself over to frustration, your career remains evergreen. Nope, I have not seen it all.