Skip to main content

Letter to Myself - "Cut yourself some slack."

Dear Me,
I know today was a rough day, but not all of it. Just some parts, here and there.

It didn't start out that way. You went to school feeling fine even though you were a bit tired. I mean, after all, getting up at 4:30 in the morning for a Twitter chat is a bit insane, even by your standards. 

So, cut yourself some slack.

Maybe today's morning Twitter chat wasn't as inspiring as others. It was about summer PD plans. It's true that you're not going to #ISTE16 or #ILA16 or #WLU16 or any of the many #EdCamps out there. However, you do have an amazing summer planned out. Your oldest daughter is getting married! That is awesome! 

This summer, you're staying put...in one of the world's most idyllic spots. Remember that others would love to live right in the very spot that you call home. In fact, that's why the wedding is here! People are coming from all over the world to rejoice with you and your family in your daughter's marriage. It's going to be a major celebration. A major family event. Life-changing. Scary. Exciting. Your baby is tying the knot! 

So, just remember to focus on the here and now. And, while you're at it, cut yourself some slack. 

Focus on the positive. Enjoy what's coming your way. Slow down. Let any negative energy that surrounds you rear it's ugly head...for a moment. Then, just let it go.

I know you that you are feeling overwhelmed because you're not getting enough sleep. It's hard to be positive when you're exhausted. You need to slow down and change directions for a while, or stick to one project and complete it well.  

Could being exhausted what brought you to pieces? Or, maybe it's all of the projects you are involved in? Maybe. Stop looking the other way. Stop trying to do it all. Remember that everybody has their own baggage to drag around. Concentrate on lightening yours up a bit. 

And, while you're at it, cut yourself some slack.
Sincerely,
You

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Reading Strategies Book - Chapter 12, Supporting Students’ Conversations – Speaking, Listening, and Deepening Comprehension

The strategy lessons highlighted in Chapter 12, Supporting Students’ Conversations – Speaking, Listening, and Deepening Comprehension, in The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo are critical to students’ engagement and comprehension, as well as their ability to write literary essays, or even book reviews, summaries and reflective pieces about books. If students aren’t able to talk about books in a way that is invigorating and joyful, they will be less likely to develop an interest in growing ideas for writing about books. In her introduction to this chapter, Jennifer Serravallo, reminds us that when conversations go well, children are inspired by what they read and are motivated to keep reading. However, when conversations fall flat, then kids get bored and tune out. How do we avoid this situation and teach kids to  have  focused conversations about books?  The answer is easy: teach kids  strategies to help them develop effective conversa...

Partner Reading and Content, Too Routine (PRC2)

I'm a hoarder. There, I've said it. I try to deny that I'm a hoarder but it comes back to haunt me every time I move houses, or pack up my classroom at the end of the school year. I have old articles, lesson plans, handouts, folders brimming with teaching ideas, past issues of profesional journals. I hardly throw anything out though I've learned to be more selective over the years. My one rule of thumb, and I really try to stick to this, is that if I haven't used or referred to something in a year, then it's time to toss it into the recycle bin. One exception to this rule (you knew this was coming, didn't you?) is past issues of journals from professional organizations. However, with the ability to locate articles online through my professional memberships, even this exception is becoming less and less useful, which brings me to the topic of this blog post. I am currently reading a copy of The Reading Teacher from 2010. I've clipped a cou...

Rewards and Punishments

I'm always surprised and disappointed when educators I respect support the use of rewards and punishments to control student behaviour. Whenever I feel like my students are "misbehaving" or not behaving as expected or agreed, it's usually because I'm "misbehaving" or not behaving as expected or agreed. Sound odd? Perhaps, but think about this for a minute. When something goes wrong, i.e. not according to plan, it's usually because the kids have responded in unexpected ways to what I'm teaching or presenting to them. Unless I'm prepared to handle these contingencies I can lose focus of the lesson and the children. I find that the best way to deal with these "disruptions" isn't to control behaviour through carrots and sticks but rather to take a deep breath and think about what may be causing the problem. Often the cause has to do with one or more of the following: how I've presented the lesson (it's confusing, ...