Only five minutes for this post, if I want it done by the end of lunch. Was taking care of a little bit of other business. Often the 20 or so minutes of lunch break I have after I’m done eating are my main time to do computer work, check email, etc.
I’ve been thinking about how I can make the best use of my remaining time here. Every Sunday night blues session reminds me why I’m planning on stopping at the end of this year. But the present moment is the only moment I ever have, and so I’m trying to make the best use of it that I can. I don’t want to be phoning it in, ever. So I’ve been thinking about that question. What would be the best use of my remaining time here. What should I be focusing on? In terms of learning, and in terms of practice. In general, I’m just continuing to try and do the best job I can, which involves analyzing where my weakest points are that would help the most, if they were improved, and then working on that. I think I have amazingly gotten to the point where that is not straight-up classroom management, but is now more about giving the kids enough high quality work to be doing, and making sure they are doing it. This is a next level realization for me, though as far as being a teacher goes it’s still basement-level basic: how peaceful and happy your classroom is, how good your ‘classroom management’ is, depends not only on having repercussions and consistency and high expectation etc., but also on the kids having enough engaging work to do, that they’re not bored (or, on the flip side, overwhelmed with tasks that are too difficult for them without the necessary support.)
OK, time to go. Hope you are all staying safe and well.
-I Out
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