Dear Deep Creek Family,
Congratulations we made it through the first half of the school year and the holiday craziness. Since we have two days before our student return, I hope you will take some time to rest and reflect. In the spirit of the new calendar year, there are three things I want to share with you, three words that sum up our needs as we enter 2016.
Patience: "quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence; to work with patience."
Teaching takes an incredible amount of patience; not only that which you show your students, their families and your colleagues, but most importantly patience with yourself. Be kind to yourself as you reflect on where you were, where you're going and where you want to be. Give yourself time to really get a sense of what you worked hard to accomplish and what you still want to work on. Be patient with yourself as you plan and prepare for the days, weeks and months ahead. Remember that patience is a virtue and that, as a passionate educator, your work will always include fostering patience.
Persistence: "the continuance of an effect after its cause is removed."
Persistence in the face of restless students, anxious parents, district data, and the pressures of the school day is what it takes to be a servant leader. As you begin the second semester by creating rigorous lessons and delivering differentiated instruction, persistence will keep you going despite the proverbial misstep that's bound to happen. Keeping a persistent, positive vision of the amazing things you can accomplish with your class will make the struggle worthwhile.
Peace: "cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension."
The ability to be at peace with your decision about a student, a phone call to a parent, or the results of an observation by a school leader, will be critical to your success. The peace that you work to have for yourself and bring to your teaching will spill over to your classroom environment, make for more positive daily interactions and carry you through the best and worst days of your career.
My hope is that you will pause to reflect on these three words, define their meaning for yourself and your work, and consider how you might use them to set a tone for your goals in the days ahead. I struggle with these three things daily. My hope is that ALL of us begin the new year with patience, persistence, and most of all . . . peace. If you took me up on my challenge from the beginning of the year to write down a daily reflection - one "Wow" and one "Yikes" then maybe expand a little with this reflection: How will you stay patient, persistent and peaceful as you begin your work in 2016?
Happy New Year!
Adrienne
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/patience-persistence-peace-lisa-dabbs
The ability to be at peace with your decision about a student, a phone call to a parent, or the results of an observation by a school leader, will be critical to your success. The peace that you work to have for yourself and bring to your teaching will spill over to your classroom environment, make for more positive daily interactions and carry you through the best and worst days of your career.
My hope is that you will pause to reflect on these three words, define their meaning for yourself and your work, and consider how you might use them to set a tone for your goals in the days ahead. I struggle with these three things daily. My hope is that ALL of us begin the new year with patience, persistence, and most of all . . . peace. If you took me up on my challenge from the beginning of the year to write down a daily reflection - one "Wow" and one "Yikes" then maybe expand a little with this reflection: How will you stay patient, persistent and peaceful as you begin your work in 2016?
Happy New Year!
Adrienne
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/patience-persistence-peace-lisa-dabbs
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