THIS IS NOT A DRILL

I came up with the title for this post and went looking for the featured photo. Funny, that photo helped to inform my post, you will see how I am sure.

I started wanting to post that this is not a drill, this is it, the real deal. You see I got hired to teach social studies. I am no longer a substitute, long or short term. I am no longer a teacher candidate, I am a teacher. I will have 6 classes, 4 US History, 1 Global Studies (geography physical and cultural) and 1 AVID class. I get to do the planning, the delivery, the adjustments, all of it. It isn’t theory anymore, there are not reduced expectations, it is game time.

I have my class set up, I have my school website set up, I have my plans begun, I AM READY. I cannot wait. Then I saw that picture and I realized what might be an Achilles heel for me. I need to recognize when I have the wrong tool. I need to know when the problem I am looking at needs a drill not a hammer, a wrench, not a drill and adjust, midstream, that requires me to be self aware. I suppose the fact I am writing this says I am halfway there. Aware.

Here is my challenge to all of you. Be ready, be aware, and stock your tool boxes. You are ready to do great things. You’ve got this.