Teach Like a Pirate: Professional and Personal Passions

As I mentioned last time, I have been reading Dave Burgess' "Teach Like a Pirate."  I had to look at my "content passions" with a fourth grade teacher lens, since I don't really know which of the first grade content standards I'm going to love yet.  But the other two types of passions Burgess talks about will not change just because I'm teaching a different grade.  Those are my "professional passions" and "personal passions."  So here they are:

Professional Passions:

• Teaching kids how to work together.  I am not the most outgoing person.  I remember having a terrible time socially when I reached fifth grade.  My mom tells me I didn't have it easy in fourth, either, although at the time I didn't really see it myself (those rose colored glasses of childhood memories must be on).  So I take a lot of pride in teaching children how to relate better to their peers.  The whole "walk around and find a partner" thing would never happen in my class, and you know why.  Instead, when I say, "turn and talk with a partner," I prompt those kids, "ask her if you can work with her (she knows better than to say no, at least on my watch, haha).  Ask him if he wants to join your group." 
• Figuring out what makes each kid tick.  And making sure the kids know it about themselves, so we can both capitalize on it.  Multiple Intelligences was so important to me when I was in college.  I love the idea that we have different learning styles, and can learn the same material different ways.  One of my proudest moments in teaching was when a fourth grade girl, previously disinterested in school, told me, "I finally see what I need to do to learn better."  And her quality of work went up and up and up. 

• Anchor charts.  Is this really lame to say?  I love making visuals that help kids learn.  With color and pictures and diagrams and bullet points.  
• Making a cozy learning environment.  This sound much nicer than "I love decorating my classroom," right?  Oh who am I kidding.  But seriously, I have to say.  Early in my teaching career, I had a principal tell me my room was a mess, and the parents were talking about it.  I was so upset, but it made me much more conscious of the idea of my classroom representing me even when I'm not teaching in it.  I wish I had photos of my room when she said that so I could see with more objective eyes, but at least now I have recent pictures that I'm proud to publish online. 
• The arts.  Similar to number 2, I love that the arts are there, in schools, to help children through more outlets than just academic subjects.  There is just something about creating with good materials, and creating melodies and rhythms that people NEED.  All people, some more than others.  I need to be in an environment where others are creating art.

Personal Passions:

• My family, of course.  My husband, mom, younger brother and sister, and my in-laws overseas are all the most important of all to me. 
• Art.  As stated above.  I have always loved drawing and been good at it.  Painting, graphic design, even modeling with clay are all hobbies that are important to me.  I used to crochet, I've dabbled in sewing, origami, making Pysanki eggs, and manga.  I love the visual arts.  I was musical in school too, playing mainly clarinet, but also a little saxophone, drums and piano.  I would rather be creating something than watching TV or a movie (although doing both at the same time is good too).

 

• Writing.  Of course, since I blog, it's obvious I love to write.  Although I've never been able to write fiction well, I think I do have a story in me somewhere for someday.
•  England.  I never thought I would enjoy travel, but flying to England to meet my (now husband) for the first time was one of the highlights of my life.  Our summers there are the highlights of each year.  
• Other.  These seem in a separate category, more like interests, so I'm going to group them together in a list.  The beach, unicorns, cats, Pre-Raphealite art, Irish music, TPT, Revenge (the show, not a personal vendetta), Castle (the show and the buildings), fine dining, candles, fall colors (betcha didn't guess that from the looks of this blog), archery.

I just realized that this makes a good little "get to know Amber" section, which is good to put out there as a new blogger.  :)  It's also good to refocus on the my "professional passions" because they are the reason I teach, regardless of the grade level.  Burgess states this, as well as the fact that one's "personal passions" won't be worked into daily lessons, although will probably be worked in at some point during the school year in order to connect to students by making personal connections.  I do have a family photo from my wedding on my desk, as well as an English flag in my pencil cup on my desk.  So I do represent.  :) 

 What are your passions?  If you want to think more about it, and you haven't read this book yet, you can get Teach Like a Pirate with my affiliate link. 

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