Embracing Change
Posted by Diane Badden on 24 Jun 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Grade 1, Grades 2-3, Intermediate, Kindergarten, Organization and Supplies, Planning and Curriculum, Preschool, Teacher's Helper, Teachers and Teaching, The Mailbox
Change is good, right? I know it is, but here’s my confession—sometimes change scares the heck out of me. And yet I know I embrace change on a daily basis. I guess it’s the big changes that can throw me for a loop. To this day I vividly remember the afternoon my principal informed me that the following fall I would be changing grade levels. My knees went weak and my head began to spin—and not in a good way!
Change is on my mind because I’m imagining many teachers are being asked to embrace big changes in the coming school year: a change of schools, a change of grade levels, a change of teaching colleagues, a change of administration, and so on. Over the years I’ve learned that I’m best with small changes. So when a big ole change comes my way, I try to embrace the big change in small chunks. This works for me. What works for you? What are your words of wisdom for colleagues facing major changes? Please share your insights and positive experiences!
And to all our subscribers; if you have a current subscription to The Mailbox® magazine or Teacher’s Helper® magazine that no longer matches your new teaching assignment, go immediately to www.themailbox.com/customerservice to request a change of editions. Or call toll-free 1-800-334-0298 (Monday through Friday 7am - 9:30pm and Saturday 8am - 6pm CST). We are here to serve you! (Please act quickly, as changes can take up to six weeks to process because of fixed mailing schedules.)
Thinking of you!
Diane
Congratulations to R. Weber, Bar Nunn Elementary. She is the winner of a copy of Out & About Math (Grades 1–2) in our weekly blog drawing.
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17 Responses to “Embracing Change”
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More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
CHANGE! I love it!
Change keeps you on your toes and delivers a challenge that continually adds to your “personal lessons learned” memoir. I am looking forward to my upcoming challenge, of changing grade levels from 1st to 4th and I can’t wait!
Change is not always easy to embrace. I handle it by realizing that in the past changes have always been for the better, for me. Changes mean that I am about to grow to a new level in my life! That is always exciting!!
This is the first year that I do not have a major change coming. Two years ago, I went from student teaching to my first year teaching. I was not happy at that school, and at the end of the year, I decided to try a different school. After just applying for jobs the year before, I had to do it again! My second year teaching was miles better and easier than my first. At my second school, the staff, parents, and students were wonderful. I felt a part of that school in a way I never did at the first school I worked at. Big changes are almost always scary, but sometimes they work out to be even better that what you already had.
I teach Early Childhood Special Education and my job is always changing. I have new students move into our district from other programs. I also have new students coming in when they turn 3. Which is difficult when they come in January and even as late as April. It is extremely difficult when a child who is 4 or 5 comes in and has never been to a program or away from their mom. So I am always changing my plans to help all my students. I enjoy the job, but sometimes it can be very overwhelming.
Change is happening in the schools, i work at a preschool and i love my job i love to see the wounderful changes that the children make the way they grow and learn and how they change to the way that each of the teachers teachs them i am amazed at those wounderfull changes. thank you for great ideas they help to ease changes for the teachers as well as for the children. when you are prepared for any changes it makes it easy.