T.G.I.F. Newsletter Review - May 2022
Here's a look back at the T.G.I.F. newsletters for the month of May.
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Looking Back at May 2022
After I send out the last T.G.I.F. newsletter of the month I'm going to start the habit of looking back to review each one. Here are some of the things that resonated with me 🤔. You can subscribe to the T.G.I.F. newsletter at the bottom of this article. Join us 👊.
- This was Teacher Appreciation week. After the recent tragedy in Texas, I hope there is an even greater appreciation for teachers. No one enters the teaching profession to practice active shooter drills or protect students from gunfire.
- It's hard to sit back and watch the teaching of History become controversial. When I was growing up the social studies mantra was, "It's important to learn from the mistakes of the past so we don't repeat them." Are we now afraid of our past?
- I'm wondering if the truancy issues that occurred during the pandemic will continue? I've almost become numb to having four of five students absent each morning. This has been one of the biggest challenges for me this year.
- This week I was introduced to the term "toxic productivity". This is pervasive in the lives of most teachers. Do you ever sit down to relax in the evening but struggle to do so because there are some many things left on your to-do list.
- I'm still inspired by North Shore Betty.
Procrastination, Stereotypes, and Happiness
- During this week I focused on overcoming procrastination with my students. Here are some tips and resources I compiled while preparing the lesson.
- Should it be the pursuit of happiness or the pursuit of contentment? I've been thinking about what makes me happy as a teacher, both in and out of the classroom. I think happiness and contentment are intertwined. When I'm content, I feel happier.
- The quote below pretty much sums up my experiences so far as I started writing and sharing online. Viewing writing as a habit has been beneficial.
"The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety." (Josh Waitzkin, The Art of Learning*)
Sadness, Status Quo, and Battle Bots
- This was a week of true sadness in our country. As a human and an educator, I am still in shock that this keeps happening in our country. We must do better. This week's newsletter was the hardest to write so far. Everything seemed unimportant and small compared to this.
- I'll end this monthly review with a highlight - Battle Bots. This was a welcome distraction. The first time I attempted this activity is when schools were shut down for the first time. We were never able to finish our battle. It was strange when I was able to get back into the classroom that all of the student creations were still there, but the students moved on to high school. I also created a YouTube video and shared it. I even received a constructive comment from a viewer. They were spot on.
That's it for this month. Here comes the summer. Educator or not, I wish you beautiful weather, adventure, and moments of peace and quiet.
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