Did You Read The Small Print??

In the past few years, after leaving the “classroom” my “availability” to win awards has diminished greatly.  A lot of awards stipulate an “in the classroom” teacher — and alas, I am no longer in a “classroom”.

So I look at the awards and sigh a bit.  Not that the award was anything I would boast about…..but usually there was a small bit of money involved which would pay for conventions, etc.  Which was always nice.

But today I took a step back and pondered was I teaching to win awards??  Was I doing things within my classroom just so I could get recognized?  And isn’t that a bit like teaching to the test??

Was I doing a “look at me look at me” and what I am doing………..or was I doing a “look at what my class is doing?”  And honestly, I have to say it was more of the first thought.

Now there is nothing wrong with positive affirmation (if given and received properly) but if I was writing lesson plans not necessarily for my student’s benefit……but to say “wow, look at jen” — (and I include projects as well)……….then I had my priorities in the wrong place.

Because — if I read the small print in ANY teacher’s contract — I will see that it says “it is not about you, Jen” – it is about the students.

And just maybe I needed to leave the classroom for a while to be reminded of that.

Just thinking.
Jen