Towards the end of last school year, I made the choice to
accept a position at the middle school.
I was going to move from teaching at the high school, and I heard this
phrase a number of times: “______ will have big shoes to fill.” Some folks were referring to me filling
the shoes of the former middle school teacher, and some were referring to the
person filling my position.
Little did I know that I’d be moving much further than just
down a grade level or two, I’d be accepting a position to teach physical
education in another district, and now as I reflect on my first 8 days of
teaching at Licking Heights Central Middle School, I cannot help but think back
to where I came from.
Those that have followed my blog for the past 6 months or so
realize that I had really tapped into my passion for what I do on a daily
basis. I was seeing a
transformation of myself as a professional, and my students as learners and
individuals. The methods that I
was trying in my classroom were leading to exciting discoveries and I loved the
interaction that I got to have with my students each and every day. It was a difficult decision to move on
with my career, but for a number of reasons, I felt it was the best decision
for me. I constantly tell the
students that “this is your education,” and “make sure you do things for you,
not for me,” and what’s it say about me if I didn’t follow my own advice?
Anyway, as all of the movement was unfolding and I was
hearing the line about having big shoes to fill, I was both proud and hesitant. Proud because I was happy that folks
felt that I’d made a difference, and that I was actually leaving a mark. But hesitant because I don’t want
to fill someone else’s shoes, nor do I want them to fill mine. I want a brand new pair!!! (I know, a bit cheesy, but stay with
me)
What I hope that I left at Delaware are tracks. Tracks that allow my replacement to see
where I had been and the progress that I made. Tracks that created a trail on which the next teacher can
stand on and blaze a new path. Tracks
that told stories and provided insight to successes and failures that I had
that the next teacher can improve upon and learn from. Tracks that weren’t just footprints on
a walkway, but were fresh imprints on a never before taken path.
Just filling out shoes sounds an awful lot like just doing
the minimum, or just getting by. My
goal for this school year, and my challenge to my fellow educators is to not
just fill shoes. Whether it is
someone else’s pair, or your own pair from last school year… Get new shoes,
blaze a new trail, leave tracks, and wear out the shoes in the process. Don’t fall into the trap of “this is
how I/ we’ve always done it.”
I am excited to report that my first 8 days at Central were
wonderful. My students are
respectful, attentive, and engaged.
I am looking forward to this year, and looking forward to sharing the
experiences I encounter along this new trail.
Educators, go get yourself some new shoes, you deserve it,
and so do the kids!
“Do what you love in the service of those who love what you
do!” - Steve Farber
Take care,
Coach Mo
