When I started teaching, I was quite young and alternatively certified. I went through a LOT of trial-and-error before gaining proficiency. Though I still have much growth yet to do as a professional teacher, thankfully I have started learning a few things. I’m sure my students and their parents are grateful that I’ve made progress. Here are the most important lessons I’m learning as a classroom teacher:

1. I’m learning to recognize simultaneous yet contradictory intentions involved in education, and I’m learning to reduce their effects upon my work as a teacher.

2. I’m learning that with ALMOST EVERY education-related concept, philosophy, approach, method, etc., it’s not a black and white issue, but a spectrum. One method works for some students, while another method works for the next student. Equally importantly, I’ve had to learn to identify the school leaders’ positions in regards to different teaching related issues that affect me and my students (i.e. determine whether school leadership sees the issue as a black and white issue, or whether they view the issue as a spectrum). I’ve had to learn how to remain flexible (viewing things along a spectrum) for the sake of the students, whether the school leaders understood this approach or not, all the while still exhibiting the utmost respect for the school leaders. So, when school leadership changes and we are no longer allowed to teach phonics, I adapt. And then when school leadership changes again and we are required to teach only phonics, I adapt. When school leadership changes and learning multiplication facts becomes a “waste of time,” I adapt. And then when school leadership changes again and multiplication facts become basic building blocks of math ability, I adapt once again. Adapting does not mean abandoning what works or abandoning my beliefs, but doing the delicate work of adhering to my beliefs in a win-win way.

3. I’m gradually gaining more wisdom and prudence, and I understand that just because something’s right doesn’t mean it’s expedient.

continued . . .