The start of something good

Well, here it goes!  I have been wanting to start a blog for almost a year now, but never had the courage.  I was always thinking "But what do I have to offer?  What can I add to the conversations out there in the blog universe?"  That little voice would say "you'll make typing eorrors errors (sorry couldn't resist), some one will leave you a mean comment and make you cry (LOL), or no one will read it."  But I've decided to put myself out there...literally...out into the great blogsphere....yikes!

After chatting with a dear friend this past weekend (who recently started her own blog - check it out at www.lovetolearninkindergarten.blogspot.ca) I decided to take the plunge.  My goal is simple: to share my journey with anyone who wants to share it with me.  Whether it be fellow teachers, parents of students, daycare providers or others.

I am realizing more and more that my passion is not only teaching and helping children, but also teaching and learning with other educators.  I use the term "educators" for parents, homeschooling families, daycare workers, professors, and people with many other jobs and positions.  We all have such important roles to play in lives of the young people around us.  I have valued so greatly the blogs that have helped me over the past year transform my classroom in both the physical and pedagogical senses.  To say that it has been an amazing year would be an understatement!  It has been full of exploring, reflecting, self-doubting, encouraging and exhaustion!!  It has truly stretched me and challenged me as a teacher and mom.

Over this past school year our class has been very fortunate to have several visitors from around our board come to visit.  They always have such great questions that cause us to reflect on our practice.  Perhaps the most common question I have received is "Where do you start?".  I remember this feeling well.  The feeling of excitement about making a change you believe will be better for your students; the anxiety of "doing it right"; and the pressure of meeting ever-growing expectations of our
Kindergarten learners.



So the question is, was it worth it?

Well, 9 months and 2 days (not exactly sure how many days, but being exact sounds so much better, doesn't it?) later my answer is YES!  My approach to teaching and who I am as a person has been profoundly changed by the learning I have experienced over this past year.

My hope is that you will find some inspiration to help you on your journey, from wherever you may be starting.

Talk again soon :)
Carly