I think it's safe to say no teacher ever imagined teaching their students from home. UNLESS you wanted to be an online teacher or you were a parent who wanted to homeschool their children. 

Throughout college, I never imaged teaching my kids from a computer. Trying to gauge their level of participation. Their level of understanding. It just wasn't something I thought I was going to have to do. It still is crazy to me that we are living in a time when we are social distancing.

Yet, while I am saddened that I am not with my kids - deeply saddened. I feel a sense of renewal.

I find myself doing things I haven't done before. For example, I'm actually researching and using technology. A few months ago, I would have consider myself tech savvy. But now, I am at a whole new level. Thanks, social distancing! LOL.

But for real. The last time I updated my blog was a year ago. 

I don't feel tired.
I don't feel burned out.
I don't feel overwhelmed by papers to grade.
I don't feel the weight of new curriculum hanging over my head.

And yet. I'm not doing anything different.

As a matter of fact, I'm checking papers more regularly and keeping tabs on my kids work daily. I actually have time to invest into grading papers and seeing their progress. 

And while I miss them terribly. (I seriously hoped we would be back together again now.) I do feel a sense of renewal and for that...I am grateful. 

I am playing games, going for walks outside, and attempting a blog again. 

I find myself wanting to find things to do, not just sitting in front of the tv.

And no, I'm not complaining. But I do think it's good to reflect on how life has shifted and think about how we want life to be when things go back to somewhat normal. 

​Until next time. 

To me, this quote was a showstopper.
 
I can honestly say I've said it myself - that we need to prepare our students for the real world.
 
But in reality, most of them are experiencing a world we will never understand.
 
We need to prepare them the best we can to fit into a world where technology is at the forefront.
 
Where life changes in a blink of an eye.
 
Where new jobs are being created that people 50 years ago never thought of.
 
I get frustrated when I see popular Instagram accounts where picture after picture is a cute new worksheet or activity that you can purchase off TeachersPayTeachers for your students to do.
 
Yet, those “activities” do not instill creativity.
 
In fact, they limit it.
 
Let’s look at education and see how we can change it for our kids.
 
I’ve said this once, and I know I’ll say it again, create small changes.
 
Take it step by step.
 
Put away the old worksheet you’ve brought out year after year and allow students to live in a world of creativity and innovation.
 
Where they are guiding their learning.
​
Filling their minds with possibilities by collaborating and researching.
 
Where they do not have to fill in the blank.
 
That is preparing them for the future
 
That is creating a better tomorrow for our youth.