It's Been a Whirl Wind of a 10 Days

So in the last 10 days or so I've ...
1. tried unsuccessfully to have my AP Macro kids take the AP test (we are rescheduled again for next Thur May 30). We missed the first date due to school closer (more on that in a bit) and the second attempt was missed due to failure to actual have the exam in our district to give to the students.

2. seen my town literally torn apart, and then come together to start to rebuild. We were hit by a EF-3 tornado damaging two schools within our district, and several neighborhoods. During the next two days, and everyday since, parents, students, community members have come together to clean-up and start to rebuild. And when another community was hit by storms just days later, while we are still trying to fix ourselves, my students are also figuring out ways to send aide. It's amazing.

3. started to reflect on myself as a teacher. Looking at what worked, what didn't work, and what is truly important to me. And I've come to some good, and yet painful, conclusions  I had a lot of successes this year. I had some failures, but I learned from those and have made myself a better teacher.

I've also learned that I'm a teacher. I love to teach. I love seeing that light come on a kids face when the succeed. I love seeing the joy that comes now as we close in on graduation. I love seeing them grasp not just economics, but start figuring out life. I've come to the conclusion that no matter what may come in the future but I will always be a teacher.

4. I am getting excited about next year already. I have started started the transition  to integrating technology in my class the past couple of months. My students and I have been willing to experiment, fail, and try again. It's given me something to work on and plan for. I look forward to reexamining how, why, and what I teach for next year. It's May, but I can't wait for August so I can start, try, fail, and try again new projects, lessons, and technology for my class. I know I'm crazy.

So till next time - Live long and proper, May the Force be with you, and remember with great power comes great responsibility.