Day 3: The Transition

It’s Friday morning. It’s quiet, it’s gently raining, and I’m listening to “Stormy Weather” and going back in time. I went back a year ago and skimmed posts from last summer while I was doing research for an upcoming post and new page.

mydesk

Summer so far has been feeling like a LONG weekend, so far. I wrote the Superstition post before moving on to other tasks Wednesday and helped B and O pack for Ohio Thursday. They left yesterday and will be gone all weekend long. That leaves W and I to our own devices for a couple of days. W has been up and out of the house before 6 AM all week long – since Tuesday. He has wrestling camp followed by football camp until noon. Then, he’ll come home and sleep. He’s busy all weekend with scout event this evening and more football on Saturday.

A  teacher’s summer isn’t what many folks think. It’s full. The first couple of days are always like recovering from a hangover or a hard workout – rest, relaxation, and recovery. I hardly drink any longer, so it’s been a while since a hangover and I haven’t exercised that strenuously for a while, either. But, I remember how it feels. The transition to summer is like changing jobs – I’ve only changed twice, but I remember the awkwardness of feeling change. One day, I’ll step into retirement and permanent summer. I had better have a plan.

I am taking two classes this summer – both related to science and I am looking forward to them. The first is next week and the other the following week. I’ll also be working on getting ready for the next school year and the challenges of teaching a different main content \ subject area – again. I will be teaching the same subjects but the emphasis will change. Next year I have four US History classes and one science class. This past year’s focus was on science and history was an afterthought. I spent most of my planning and assessing time on science. My history class was always second or third on the list, I’d copy someone else’s plan – simply just to survive. It’s not what I wanted to do or what I know is best practice – there are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. That is my main gripe about middle school and content area assignments.

When I learned my assignment, I was disappointed. I had been looking forward to re-doing science, but much better. Experience is always the best teacher. But, my wife reminded me that I finally am getting to do what I wanted to do when I decided to become a teacher – teach US History. My wife always helps with my focus – she was there to encourage me in the summer of ‘ 96 when I was thinking of a career change. She’s been by my side all the way encouraging and re-directing when I need it most. She’s my biggest supporter, the ground for my energy. Thank you, B.

I know next year will be a great year. For now, I have summer and summer reading a summer exercise program – it’s a summer tradition. Maybe this is the summer my exercise program will stick and last the entire year and beyond.

I opened 365 Days of Wonder by R.J. Palacio to today’s quote – it’s the companion book to her adolescent novel Wonder and I found the quote below.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” Albert Einstein

If you haven’t read the book – you should, even if you’re not an adolescent or a teacher. It’s a human story about the human condition with a timeless message. I cried when I read it the first time and had to hold back tears when I read it aloud to my students several years back. You’ll love the characters, except for one. You’ll be able to identify with them and their actions. I hope they never make the book into a movie – the book is ALWAYS better.

It’s Friday, June 12th. A year ago, it was Friday the Thirteenth and Day 4 of summer. The men came for the tree and my post was about the superstition surrounding the number ‘13’ and summer reading lists. Irony.

It’s still raining and I’d better get moving. I can’t sit and write all day – I have a book list to write, a few thank you notes, and a letter to write to my mom and few others jobs. It’s gonna be a great day, I know it and I can feel it, so I’d better jump in, jump up, up and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, one trip down memory lane, one step at a time.

How is your transition to summer going?

8 thoughts on “Day 3: The Transition

    1. Thank you for stopping in. I like the quote and I’m thinking of ways to incorporate quotes into the classroom – to get my students to think what they mean. Often quotes are presented out of context and with the explosion of the internet I often wonder about the quotes authenticity or what the person meant. it’s about making ourselves think, rather than just do. So far summer has been a thinking summer, now it’s time to do – off to class for a week full of learning. Have a great week!

    1. I found it in a book of quotes to accompany the novel and it fit the day and post – irony. Summer is off to a roaring start – I am off to materials class this morning (and all week) – it gonna be a great day! Have a wonderful week.

    1. It rained all weekend long – and I am okay with that. I realize there are parts of the country that need the rain and parts like us that have the right amount – then there are places that have too much. In life sometimes balance is an issue – I am grateful to my wife – my life partner – for helping with the balance. Have a great week and enjoy the adventure.

  1. How nice that your wife serves as your sounding board and helps guide your decisions. A true partner makes life so much more navigable. Hope you have a wonderful summer. Growing up in a family of teachers, I know all too well it’s not just lazy relaxation. 🙂

    1. Summer is just getting started – off to Materials class this morning – feeling rested and relaxed. B is my ground – we’ve known each other over 30 years – hard to believe. time does fly. Thanks for stopping in – have a great week!

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