Comments on: The Story of a Teacher Author’s Identity Crisis

By: Yolanda

Yolanda — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 02:29:19 +0000

Amanda, this is great! You are doing what every teacher needs to do year to year–well, more frequently as our world takes such sharp turns any given day–and that is self-reflection and action. I know my first 5 years of teaching were full of ME and how I wanted my classroom to run and I wish I could start over! But you are so right about changing our lens. It is tough to rework everything we do but so necessary.

By: Melissa Scott

Melissa Scott — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 00:36:47 +0000

Bravo, Amanda! I am so happy to read your self reflections. I wish ALL teachers had the same drive and motivation to do the same. Even if we don’t make money from what we create, we still need to analyze what we’ve done with a different lens, and acknowledge the mistakes we’ve made in the past in order to create a better future. Although I feel like giving up on education lately, I feel the exact same way you do. The more of us that realize things need to change and are willing to work to make it happen, will be the change. The system is broken and it needs to be fixed! Currently I feel defeated and want to give up, but your words encourage me that there are more of us willing to try. In solidarity, Melissa Scott

By: Francina Doyle

Francina Doyle — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 19:18:41 +0000

Thank you for being so vulnerable in your sharing with us. Give yourself some grace. Did you do the best you could do at the time? Likely. Now we all know more….so hopefully we will do better. Thanks for what you DO do.

By: Beth Evans

Beth Evans — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 18:26:39 +0000

Amanda, I’m also a quiet fan… I am struggling now, too, in my 20th+ year of teaching English learners. Around this time of year, I also have an annual dip in my belief in my skills. I moved to a new school during the pandemic, and I’m still not feeling secure in where I am. I think in a normal year it’s difficult to move students forward. And now, it’s even worse. Students are struggling, and so am I. I hear you. And I appreciate you.

By: Chris Kelley

Chris Kelley — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 17:25:16 +0000

Thank you for sharing and for being so thoughtful going forward. Life is messy and so is teaching. I appreciate you acknowledging your experience.