Day 2 - "Read Across America Day" - SOLSC

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#SOL21

Today on Dr. Seuss's (Theodor Geisel) birthday, and Read Across America Day, I think of my favorite Suess book - "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" I read this story to my class of two today as we munched on our lunch and I had to stop and reflect, look at the places I've gone.

Look at how I started out as a shy, chubby, bullied child and teen, and look at what I have become. I have a class of three, now two (one student moved). I have a gen ed crew of third-grade students. I am a dog mom to Poncherillo, he's almost 13 and one of the greatest loves of my life. I have had not one but two careers in my life. I've loved, lost, and won in so many ways. I am about to embark on a new venture and I am always striving to be better than I was yesterday. 

"Unslumping yourself is not easily done."

 "Oh, the places you'll go."

I may still not fit in or have the respect as a new educator, but I've finally learned that I matter and it all starts with me. Nobody can shape how you feel about yourself, but you. 

"Sometimes you'll play lonely games too. Games you can't win 'cause you'll play against you." 

I strive to use my battle scars to launch my students to believe in the places they can go. I revel in the fact that I am a person helping to shape who they will become. As we huddled in place during a class drill today and I saw those angels just sitting so perfectly quiet, listening and looking to their teachers for direction, I was amazed that wow, I have a very important role in the lives of these children. Where they'll go can be forever impacted by me. The daily slice today reminds me that these kiddos will look to me and I do not want to let them down, ever. I must be strong and remind myself of all the places I've gone and am going, so my students will see that if you truly believe in yourself, you are unstoppable. 

We have to remember as the wise Dr. Suess said:

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So....get on your way!" I plan to do just that!

Until next time I leave you with a quote that resonates with me today as I have just submitted my application for graduate school. 😊

"Whether You Think You Can or Think You Can't........................

 - You're Right" - Henry Ford

- Oh, the places you'll go...............

*GB

  • Seuss, . (1990). Oh, the places you'll go!. New York: Random House.

Comments

Adrienne G. said…
I shared "The Day You Begin" by Jacqueline Woodson with my 6th graders today. I used her video and after reading the book, she talks about how we should never measure ourselves against others. It's terrific.
March 2, 2021 at 5:03 PM
Lainie Levin said…
Ahhh...Dr. Seuss. I almost forgot that this is Read-Aloud Day! As for me, I confess that my favorite Dr. Seuss book is probably "Fox in Socks." I have such a fun time reading that one.

And...as for having respect or fitting in with teachers as the newbie, I get that. I still remember my first placement, and how out of place I felt (especially philisophically) with some of my colleages. Stay true to YOU. =))
March 2, 2021 at 5:41 PM
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