By Stephanie Linehan
I know standards and curriculum are important to keep teachers aligned and organized and focused. But oh how I love a full, uninterrupted day with my students. So we could just BE. Together. The days when my students were so into their work that I could walk around, be authentic with my check-ins and conversations, and ask who needed me. When I would walk around my classroom, my go-to phrase often with students was, “Can I come in?” Like I was knocking on their door and didn’t want to interrupt unless they were open to it. More times than not, students would ‘let me in.’ (cue in The Three Little Pigs: “Little pig, little pig, let me in.” “Not by the hair of my chinny-chin chin.”).
I’d often take their own pencil to scribe for them for a while or ask to sit in their seat so they could stand and oversee my idea/input/suggestion. They’d get a little, short push of encouragement or inspiration and I’d be on my way to engage and help the next student.
These are the moments in teaching I will truly, truly miss.
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