Teachers - Stop to Smell the Roses! (Week 6)

If you have a type A personality in your classroom (like I do!), a blog post by Lisa Dabbs is a MUST READ.  Seriously... I actually felt a sense of relief after reading her thoughts on trying to find perfection in the classroom.  Teachers certainly need to be organized and create a classroom atmosphere that is welcoming and functioning.  However, is there a point where that organization is too much?  Lesson plans need to be detailed and follow district criteria.  But is there a point where the teacher is drowning trying to make these plans too perfect?  Lisa Dabbs got to that point.  In her article, she even talks about how she had a system for coordinating her students crayons by color - and that the custodians actually had to escort her out of the building sometimes at 10pm!  Wow - that's dedication.  However, Lisa also talks about how she forgot to look at her progress and not strive for perfection.

I certainly am not at school until 10pm, but I do stay after late on many days.  I also work day in and day out to create a super-organized space.  I work all weekend on my lesson plans and creating lessons that are going to interest students and please the district.  I'm only in my second year of teaching after working in another industry for 12 years.  It's a hard change, but I often question.. am I going overboard at school?  Now, after reading Lisa's article, I wonder if I'm taking time to look at far I've actually come as a teacher in the past two years?  That's something I'll need to reflect on.

In the meantime, read Lisa's article.  She offers three important tips for all teachers:
"1.  Get out and have fun... 2.  Capture it with a camera.  3.  Journal about the journey." (Dabbs)  I can see how all three of these elements are important.  Do your job, but have some fun too!  If you're creating something cool in the classroom, take photos so you remember what it looks like, and you can share with friends and co-workers.  Finally, write a few notes about your progress in the classroom, which will in turn help with self-reflection.  Great ideas!


Dabbs, L.  "Progrees, Not Perfection:  Three Tips for Your Journey."  Edutopia.com.  30 May 2013.  Web.  Retrieved 2 June 2013.  <http://www.edutopia.org/blog/progress-not-perfection-your-journey-lisa-dabbs?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29>