growth

During one of my quick debriefs with RW, we were identifying the growth she has experienced as a first year teacher. I mean, first there's the fact that she is not able to command attention in the classroom, and more importantly, there is a clear air of confidence that comes through and sends a message of safety to her students. i see it and students also clearly feel it because their response has shifted. there is a willingness to collaborate, not only with their teacher but with one another. the classroom space is a place of learning, collective learning.

What caught me the most, however, was something she shared during the debrief. As I identified points of growth and asked her to sit in that truth, she shared about her experience in relation to other teacher friends in their first year of teaching. She shared: "They've definitely struggled with management like I have, but I realized that despite that I've been able to also focus on my instruction and experience instructional growth because of the support I receive from you [her coach]. While they are still figuring out management, I've been able to balance that with working on strengthening my instruction."

It's one thing to SEE the growth, as evidenced in my observations. But I will say, just like with our students, it's definitely nice to hear my teachers reflect on their own personal growth as well...

it's why we do, right?