To dream is one thing, to set a goal is to take that dream and
make a plan to insure it happens. I have a ceaseless garden of goals, some that
will grow to be the size of dandelion seeds and some that will grow to be the
size of the oldest oak. Size is not the determinant of a goal's worth though,
for every goal is one that I set to fortify myself in my trek through the many
different gardens and lands of teaching.
There are three
seasons in my adventure through the gardens and paths of student teaching, and
I plan to make notes through the entirety of those three seasons. To begin
those notes, I begin with the goals that I set for myself.
I have narrowed down my many seeds of goals into two main ones: my
health and my self-growth. My health has always been a main factor in my life,
and now even more so that my future involves a lot of standing, excitement, and
stress. Imagine my surprise when I realized that regular food breaks and immediate
bathroom breaks were the fairies of the teaching garden! As for self- growth, I
know who I am as a person, but being a teacher is a whole different gardening
position. It takes constant adjustments and self-awareness to take one’s
learnings and apply them to changing place in situations. Thus implementing the planting of my other main goal: to make sure that I become the gardener that knows their place in the
garden and knows it well enough to make those necessary changes.
Time to begin planting!

I so enjoy your use of the gardening metaphor! What a great picture that creates! It is so true that there are multiple seasons in this journey and we are shaped and tended to throughout these seasons---often in different and sometimes difficult weather. We are firmly rooted through the knowledge base we've attained through our studies, and now it is up to each of us to bloom where we're planted! Best of luck in your new garden!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am happy the metaphor worked in what I was trying to portray. Our studies are the planting, but the real growth and blossoming will be what we do with it. Good luck to you as well!
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DeleteLorylyn, I really like your gardening analogy. I wish you all the best as you tend your garden this year!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLorylyn! I think you are going to grow strong in your teaching this year with your initiative in the classroom and your careful nurturing of your students. When we are continually growing as teachers we are also helping our students grow. I am very excited to see the fruition of the seeds you are planting at the beginning of this semester.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I look forward to growing with my fellow educators as well!
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