I feel like there is so much I can talk about this week, that I honestly just decided to start writing and see what comes out first. So, lets see what happens….
I had this amazing moment in my classroom with a student the other day that is coming to mind first, so I guess let's start there and see where it takes us.
It is the end of the semester here and so on the last day of class, I typically allow my students a chance to grade me. Tell me what they liked about the semester, what they didn’t like, things I can improve upon, all of it! I do this because I am not perfect and I learn so much from what they have to say and truly appreciate the feedback and constructive criticism. So in 2 of my 3 classes this summer I have 2 students who have failed my class before and decided to take the class again with me. This is the first time this has ever happened and I found the idea so exciting that they decided to do this and I think it says so much about them as students.
So, I opened up feedback in my class and my one student who had taken the class with me before and failed said “you have changed so much.” So I say “how have I changed?” She goes “you were so bubbly 3 years ago, you are so much more of an a**hole now.” I started hysterically laughing, as did some of my other students because I knew she didn’t mean it negatively and I love that she felt so open to share. I then went on and said “but have you learned anything since you took the class the first time?” and she says “I learned that I need to put in the work.”
So, now that I have had time to sit with this amazing exchange I am just tickled pink. I am so honored that I have changed so much in 3 years. I still consider myself bubbly, but I definitely approach teaching very differently now. And what a privilege! That means I have learned from my past experiences and made the changes I needed to as a educator.
I think so often we fear this idea of change, or we are so close to it, we can’t see how much we have changed in just a few years. But life is a beautiful thing, it allows us to grow, evolve, and expand. We get to learn from our mistakes, we get to learn from each other, we get to wake up everyday and live our life to the fullest.
There is really no way for me to express the gratitude I have for myself and my students. I am so lucky to truly love what I do for a living.
So I guess what I want you to take away is do not fear change, look it in the eyes, and get excited to have the ability to change. It is what makes us human, so grow my little kitties, grow outside the box, I promise that the grass is much greener out here.
Love always your cycle half,
Emily