More Lessons

Wow! Has this been a rough summer! I'm drowning in lessons! Another school year approaches and I have no teaching job. Being passed over at your own school sucks. But, it also makes you think....How many little things have I let slip past that I shouldn't have? How many times could I have done more, been better, given more effort? They all add up. Knowing inside that you could do better is one thing. Having it laid out by someone else is another. So, I guess I'll suck it up, eat humble pie, face humiliation and go back to being an assistant. But, with new determination to be better, more involved and hopefully, learn the lesson.

A Lesson Learned

Well, today I learned the value of reading carefully and finding and following rubrics. I learned how discouraging it is to believe that you have done a good job, only to find that your job was (barely!) adequate. I immediately thought of the all the times I have heard from students, "But, Mrs. Ellis! I didn't know I needed to do that...or this...or have this many references." I almost took cruel pleasure in replying, "But, it is your responsibility to read the assignment, or follow directions." So, now the shoe is on the other foot. I didn't read my assignment thoroughly and I never saw the rubric. The lesson? Always, always give a rubric and go over it (I'm in elementary, cut them some slack!). And, give written instructions for all projects and encourage them to be read and re-read. Being a student means learning...even if it is the hard way.