Rock On!

We often hear that teachers are rock stars.  

What does that mean?  There really isn't a lot of fame, fortune, and admiration that comes with this job.  People don't stand in line to get into our classrooms.  People don't buy t-shirts with our pictures on them.  People don't memorize the words of our lessons or buy recordings of our New Deal lecture to play at any time to help change their mood.  By those definitions, we are not rock stars.  

But...

What if we are?  What if we are the leaders of developing a world tour?  A world tour of experiences for our students in different subjects and different locations?  What if we are those people hitting the stage, bringing inspiration to students?  What if it is our words that they memorize in order to provide themselves with courage and hope?  What if we can be a hero for a student?  

We have the opportunity each year to develop a "world tour" for our students.  We can set a stage for learning, relationships, and engagement.  We can provide opportunities for our students to grow, push themselves, and find success.  Not only should we be doing that for our students, but we need to find ways to push ourselves and challenge ourselves as well.  While this job may not bring fortune and fame, we do have the great privilege of providing our students with opportunities to explore, and more importantly, CHANGE the world.  

To start our world tour, we must be willing to work with other teachers, look at our teaching, and be willing to change.  We may have to learn some new steps and new chords in order to provide our students with a rocking learning environment.  We may have to steal from other teachers to make beautiful music all while appreciate all the music being made with in our building and classroom.  

Coming into this year, I am not sure what to expect.  I do know if we hit the road with a full trailer of equipment, an ability to work with other members of the band, and a great playlist, we will find success.  Don't forget to keep your public updated on the exciting things happening on your tour, as well as the great new music they can expect.

Rock on!