Not a Fan of Change

Yes, I'll admit it. I'm not a fan of change. Never have been.

I balked at getting a phone with a camera years ago, claiming, "Why would I need a camera on my phone when I have a perfectly good digital camera right here?" I currently have 900+ photos on my camera roll...on my iPhone.

I scoffed at the idea of DVR. And now whenever I fast forward the DVR and I have to watch a LIVE show, I scream out, "Oh, the insanity!!!!" Ever since we signed up, I have not seen one commercial except those during the Superbowl.

I still have my 1st generation iPad (yes, the one WITHOUT a camera) because I feel it's a collector's item. "It was the first one," I'd whine,"and my husband would often brag that it was the best birthday present he ever bought for me." Needless to say, my district passed a technology levy and all teachers will get iPad Airs this summer. I'll admit to being excited to have some technology that is a bit more up-to-date.

So, it's clear that I have a history of wanting things to remain as they are.

Being an educator flies in the face of the status quo. To stay the same means to be boring. "Old school" Un-engaging. Passionless. Everything I hope to avoid in my teaching career.

As a teacher, I embrace change. I seek it out...I crave it! No matter how wonderful the lesson was last week, month or year, I need to find a way to make it even better.

I have different kids.
They have different needs.
There's a new technology tool.
I read a new book, and can't believe I haven't been teaching this way.
I have a different schedule.
There's a different mandate or standard.

I'm a different person.                  
It's me who's changed.

Then, there's Twitter.
Wow, if spending time on Twitter, following all of these excellent educators doesn't make you want to try new ideas, you're dead inside.

It's like having the education "yellow pages" at my disposal and being given free reign to let my fingers do the walking. And I've walked, believe me! I've even started to sprint.

Not a day or week goes by when I don't change a lesson or more to add in an idea I saw on Twitter. Whether it's adding an engagement idea, a hook, a new strategy, or a technology tool, I am invigorated by change. In fact, each year I lament about how much I shortchanged my previous students because I wasn't the teacher I am today.

 I'm sure I will feel the same way next year, and the year after that.

As for now, there are a few more lessons I need to change. Darn Twitter chats!