Well, that's a lie.
The washing machine is running on overtime as my sister (a HS guidance counselor) and I are trying to do loads of laundry. The dishwasher is buzzing because, well, you can't start the school year with a dirty kitchen. The dog is on edge because he knows something is about to change. The fridge is full of healthy lunch choices (because I vowed to stay away from the school lunch line this year). The toenail polish is freshly drying and the meditation DVD is set and ready for a few hours from now.
It's the night before a new school year; my 8th school year as a teacher.
And I'm excited. Or anxious. Or excited and anxious...
I've been trying to reflect on what I've actually done this summer; laying in the sun, cleaning out the garage, reading fiction novels, doing yard work, watching reality TV shows, attending the Reform Symposium from the comfort of my own bed, visiting friends in Marblehead, walking for the Easter Seals Zoo Walk in July, walking in the Buddy Walk sponsored by the Upside of Downs of Greater Cleveland, playing with the dog, eating ice cream, building my PLN, consistently writing blog posts, learning loads of new technology that will fit nicely into my classroom, reading blogs, articles, and books about technology, web 2.0 tools, and special needs, exploring new teaching and assessment strategies, and trying to relax.
Here are my top 5 highlights from the summer of 2010:
1. I started to build a PLN. This personal learning network is helping me to learn new things every single day. I read their blogs. I read their tweets. I participate in discussions with them on Nings like the "Educator's PLN." They are from all over the country and even the world. And they are bringing new ideas to education every single day. This year, on the days when I feel like my ideas are ridiculous and my beliefs about education are in the minority, I can sign on to Twitter or read these blogs, and know that I am not alone. I can share ideas, borrow ideas, think through new strategies, and be part of a group that helps me grow. I am so thankful to have found this world, these people, these blogs, these ideas...
2. The class swim party I had at my house was awesome. I invited some students from past years, along with my class for the 2010-2011 school year. In all, 10 of my students, past and present came, along with 9 of their siblings and at least 10 parents. Our key club helpers also came, along with two of our special education aides. My sister could not believe how many people were here! We had so much fun! The kids were so happy to swim and thought it was exciting to be at the "teacher's" house. The parents got to chat, meet one another again, network with each other, see the other students, and catch up. The new parents got to see how our classroom works and how supportive everyone is. The principal even showed up! It was a great night!
3. I read two fantastic books this summer (I actually read 3, but only 2 were fantastic.) House Rules by Jodi Picoult is one of the best books I've ever had the privilege of reading. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson was also a great book, much different than my usual read, and I can't wait for the movie! I also wrote a blog post about House Rules...
4. I taught my dog to swim. (Well, it couldn't all be school related or intellectual, could it?)
5. Thanks to the PLN that I've been working on, I've found some awesome blogs to read that inspire me. First, the blog written by "Teacher Tom" is just incredible. This man has ideas that I couldn't even dream about. Imagine how he empowers students! Another blog, "Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning" has helped take my lesson plans for this school year to a whole new level. While I've read hundreds of blogs this summer and added at least 20 to my Google Reader, two more worth mentioning here are "What Ed Said" and "Connected Principals." I, finally, got my boss to read the "Connected Principals" and he even thanked me for it (although he did note that he reads only 1/10th of the blogs that I actually tell him about).
So, I didn't take any grand vacations or any wild road trips this year, but I did gain a whole lot of knowledge.
I did, indeed, spend a lot of the summer working... My plan was to keep learning and working all summer so that I won't feel so stressed during the school year...
And if this plan works, it will all be worth it.
Maybe it was all worth it anyways...
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