I’m so
grateful for a second semester. I get new students, new energy, and a new
perspective. I’m still teaching English III (American literature) this semester
but I have an Honors class and I couldn’t be more excited about using my brain in
a different way this semester.
A second semester reignites teaching for so many of us
teachers. I’m able to shake off the dust from texts I haven’t read in awhile.
I’m able to meet a new crop of fresh faces. I get a chance to start over. As
humans we crave change, whether we willingly admit it or not, and in my world, a
new semester allows for that. However, this change is a safe one. Ultimately, I
know exactly what this semester will consist of. Students will come in, I’ll
teach, we’ll have some laughs, there will be some tears (from both them and
me), and at the end of the semester hopefully they’ll have learned and I hope
to walk away knowing I gave 100%.
But this is safe. I’ve done this long enough and now I’m
comfortable. And that comfort is a little disconcerting. I need change. I want
change. So I’ve decided to change some things. I’m looking for some new novels
to teach my Honors students. But even that doesn’t make up for the real change
I want.
So I’ve decided to make other changes. This year is my last
semester as Riverside’s yearbook advisor. With a lot of thoughtfulness, prayer,
and pro/con lists I decided to step down from The Helm. I jumped into becoming
the yearbook advisor five years ago because I wanted a job. I had no idea what
exactly I was getting into when I started and now I can’t imagine what the last
five years would have looked like without yearbook. I didn’t work on the
yearbook in high school; I was “the newspaper girl”. But by taking on yearbook
five years ago I learned about art, creativity, design, layout, Photoshop, and
a myriad of other useful, creative elements. I’ve had the opportunity to build
relationships with students that typically aren’t built within the standard
confines of a 90-minute English class. I’ve learned how to run a $60,000
business. I’m incredibly grateful for this education over the course of these
last five years.
Leaving yearbook was hard to decide, hard to tell my
students, and hard to face when thinking about next year. But it’s the best
decision for my sanity, my professional career, and me. To be a yearbook
advisor it takes a lot of work, extra energy, and a lot of pressure and while I
was happy to do it, some years without the measly extra pay, I didn’t want to
get burned out or begin to resent something I’ve loved.
On this journey I call Change I’m also getting Advanced Placement
(AP) certified this summer, hopefully in Boston or San Diego or someplace
equally thrilling. In doing so, I can take on teaching an AP English IV class next
year, if available, at RHS. After teaching American literature for five years,
AP would mean teaching British literature. British literature: where my heart
truly lies, where I fell in love with reading, where I was able to escape into
a life completely unknown to me.
Dropping yearbook and picking up an AP class helps in this
walk with Change. I know I want more out of this life. More than being a
teacher. More than coming home with stacks of papers. More than spending
countless hours after school. More than making phone calls to parents who don’t
care or aren’t available. In this change I’ve advocated for and sought out, I’m
hoping that it will be enough. That I’ll get excited again. And if not, then
I’ll change again.
