Reflections of 18 years

The other week I was looking at my Facebook feed and seeing several teachers fill out and post the following:

TEACHER STATS
Years:
Levels:
Approximate number of students:
School districts:
Buildings:
Principals:
Classrooms:
Subjects taught:
Retired:
Teacher friends, what are your stats?

It got me to think about my career and other reflections about teaching, so instead posting my stats on Facebook, I thought I would turn it into a blog.  So here are my stats:

Years:  18
Levels:  Kinder, 4th and 5th grades
Approximate number of students:  over 400+ students
School districts:  3
Buildings:  3
Principals:  4
Classrooms:  7
Subjects taught:  reading, math, social, studies, science, social skills
Retired:  when God tells me

My first thought in reflecting was:  Wow, have I taught that long!  It has gone by so fast.  I can remember so great times and some not so great times of my career.  I have learned and seen a lot in those years, but somethings never change with this profession.  Here are the things that don't change:

Students:  The type of students I taught in the school year 2000-2001, are the same type of students that I will be teaching in 2016-2017 school year.  Yes, the students that I taught back then had more money, but they are all the same!  Students want to be LOVED, RESPECTED, and show that they MATTER!  Students are looking for this when they enter the classrooms.  They are not looking for it just one day, but ALL the days they are in school.

Administrations:  I have worked with many different styles and approaches.  Some of them have been good and some that could have been better.  I have learned that you shouldn't let a bad administration team stop you from being that great teacher you are meant to be.  There are ways to work around it, yes it might be a challenge, but you can do it.

Teachers:  During my career, I have taught with some GREAT teachers and some not so great teachers.  I have always tried to learn from each type so that I can become that GREAT teacher.  I really think that if you want to become that GREAT teacher, you need to surround yourself with great teachers.  You also need to keep learning yourself.  I have always in my career tried to learn more and more.  Yes, I have to admit there were some years I didn't take this approach.  I look back at those years, and I was not as good of a teacher.

As I end my reflection, I hope one day I can become that GREAT teacher one day that I want to be!