What is the result of being able to share things like what Nathaniel wrote below about his week? Greater mental health for all of us:
Yesterday I was called to the principal’s office because of a false accusation by a student. It was a surprise. I do not think the principal believed alleged event happened. But the event was hijacked to question the Interpersonal Communications Skills grading. Years ago I capitulated in response to relentless intimidation by the same administrator. Thanks to divine healing in areas of shame and fear, as well as the constant education on this blog, I weather the storm much better. That was yesterday.
Although running a only half a tank of sleep, I made it through today with a lot of positive moments. A colleague of mine has been noticed that her students that had me last year are more capable than those who had other teachers. So as part of a teacher certification thing she asked if she could observe one of my lessons. So she came in today. I gave her Robert’s Administrator Checklist to fill out while observing. I look forward to a follow-up chat. That was today.
Tomorrow I am to go down to the principal’s office to get some help in planning lessons. Well, I thought, one reason I am on this blog is to learn. I do not have high hopes for the lessons to be learned in the principal’s office, but I have resolved that I will have a teachable spirit. I now have a positive purpose. I am not going to eat dirt. Rather, I am going to see what I can learn to better serve my students. That will be tomorrow.
My wife suggests that, afterwards, I can invite my colleague to come back to observe another, even better, lesson than today. But that is getting the cart ahead of the horse. I will have enough trouble in the meantime making sure my spirit remains teachable.
(The student was switched to another class, so that is a non-issue at this point.)