Traveling Teacher: Beginnings

Everyone has a teacher origin story.  Here is mine. 

I began teaching in the 2003-2004 school year at Orchard Elementary.  It was the school that I attended for fifth and sixth grade.  My mother taught there too, so we were colleagues for my first year.  

I had just finished half of my teacher preparation program and spent a week helping my mom set up her classroom.  On late Friday afternoon, I was approached about teaching a class for upper elementary learners with emotional disabilities.  I jumped at the chance to gain some real teaching experience and work again. 

When I look back at that time, I was so green.  I just had my passion for teaching and my mom in my corner.  What else do you need? 

I won't lie, I bumbled a lot during the first half of the year.  I didn't know how to teach special needs learners.  I didn't understand curriculum development either.  The one thing I did have was instincts:  when a child was hungry, emotional, pensive, and self-depreciating.  I knew how to love a child and let them now someone was in their corner.  This can mean a lot to a child when they feel all alone in the world. 

To be honest, I was just reflecting all the times I saw my mother act the same way as a teacher.  I would continuously lean on her wisdom of how to proceed.  She gave me good advice about letting go of my fear and leaning into my empathy.  

Even 21 years later, I believe it was one of the best years in my teaching career.  I taught the whole child by the end and not just the head.  By mid-term, my learners were able to self-manage their anger and we were doing actual learnng.  It was so wonderful to see.

As I stood next to this sign, it was of pride.  My mother is no longer alive, but I could feel her presence there guiding me on.