the end

Everyday, I begin with the end in mind. Not the end of the day. Not the end of my life!! (GAK!)

I begin with thinking about how to get students to reach the goals that I have set for them. I have been teaching for long enough that I have had a chance to reflect on teaching…. On bad teaching and on good teaching. On how I have done both. I had to. I didn’t know better. I’m just so happy that I was not so committed to one way of teaching that I got ‘stuck’ teaching badly for the rest of my career. Also, I’m glad that I was fortunate enough to work alongside professionals who kept growing. I’m glad that I felt confident enough to let teachers watch me teach a class and give me feedback. MANY times. P O W E R F U L. The best teaching is done collaboratively, …openly, transparently, ..sharing your thinking with a colleague, a peer, a fellow teacher who shares your passion about growing in your practice. Or …another teacher who is open to finding the best ways to teach their students.

I love/treasure how my mind can take a *goal* and almost instantly visualize it becoming a series of small, chronological pieces that fit together like a “secret travel map to find the prize”. #Teacherbrain. Teaching for a long time makes you realize that you have a lot to offer students, parents, communities. What a privilege it is to teach (and love) students.

Now, tomorrow ….think of how much you are offering to your students, parents and community! Get up, and begin with the end in mind!

7 comments

  1. I love your description of your “brain work” of visualizing the path to your goal. I can’t do that in my head, but I can do it on paper. AND most importantly, I believe we can build habits to create those pathways – lots of different ways (some people might need to move, others might need to rest/clear their minds to see what shines through). Thanks for making your goal-setting work visible for us!

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  2. Agreed! The challenge I did not address here is the many different ways we have to do it, for so many kinds of learners in front of us! Thank you for reading this!

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    1. I love this mindset and I loved this line, “a series of small, chronological pieces that fit together like a “secret travel map to find the prize.” Yes!! I love creating this travel map! Finding your people to help create this map is even better!!

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  4. This line is so great: ” The best teaching is done collaboratively, …openly, transparently, ..sharing your thinking with a colleague, a peer, a fellow teacher who shares your passion about growing in your practice.” It’s so true!

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