Re-planting

By Dr. Marcia D

Recently I was feeling overwhelmed as I was thinking about the beginning of a new school year and all the paperwork to be completed. The paperwork has to do with the data received after the new students entered my class and I must diagnose them and group them for various levels as I analyze and predict the growth for the school year. It seems as if the paperwork that must be completed is priority and little room is given for teaching to get the growth. On this day, I told myself I had to have a to “do list” and organize my time strategically since all had to be done.  I love gardening and I decided to use gardening to inspire me to move forward to be the best teacher possible. I plant flowers during the springtime and watch them blossom so I will see my new students who are sometimes broken from various traumas and uncertain if they are even ready to learn. I must re-plant the strategies I know have worked in previous years or gather new seeds (strategies) for planting to see how well they will and can grow. I must embrace the newness, the new designs, and the new placings. Some students will need pruning, some will sprout, and others won’t.  Some will need watering and tender loving care to grow and for others re-planting is necessary. There will be those students who will bear fruits and simply grow in personality and of course knowledge. Indeed, there will be student growth! Through it all I will also grow.

The newness may be challenging but I am staying positive. As I embrace the beauty of the new things, I can also see the beauty in everything and look at the bright side of life. There is reassurance that there is more in store for my students and more in store for me.  I strongly believe that I should take small steps and do them one day at a time. I continue to affirm myself and my students. I also communicate with parents and remind them that it takes a village – we are the Dare to Dream Team!