I am obviously meant to be at Kingsford because I will be remaining for another year...if not more. I would be lying if I said this wasn't hard for me, but I believe all things happen for a reason. I have been humbled, as I swore I wouldn't return, but I have learned a great deal from this experience. I spent a lot of time last year being stressed. I complained way too much (even though I desired to stop), and I couldn't seem to put my job aside long enough to give my daughter the time she needed me to give her. This is not acceptable, and does not help me to be a better person or teacher. I apologize to all I affected by my attitude. I know I am human and will still struggle with this, but I hope to grow a great deal in this area when I return this school year.
Though it has been my aim to be as available with my students and their families as possible, and don't worry...I won't stop being available, I am learning the value of prioritizing my life. In the past I put my job first. That can't be the case. In order to be a more loving and effective teacher, I MUST see to it that my daughter and health come first.
I say this because we are returning to school soon, and I know I am likely to be teaching some of my previous students' younger siblings. You are used to receiving a certain level of energy from me, and I will still give you the best I can with the understanding that some boundaries will be changing this year. If I have you as a parent/guardian again, I will go over these things with you at Back to School Night (if not before).
I can't wait to see you and my old students again. I pray this year to love more, complain less, and be more optimistic.
See you in a few weeks!!!
Carrie Thompson
Some of my major philosophies as a teacher:
1) Everyone is a teacher, and everyone is a student. I have as much to learn from my students (if not more) than they do from me. I share this with my students every year, and I do my best to acknowledge it to them as it occurs.
2) A teacher can only draw out of a student what he/she is willing to give. Learning must be a desire within a student. No one can force him/her to learn, nor should a teacher try. Rather, I believe a teacher should model a passion for learning through example and encouragement. I feel my job as a teacher is to help students learn how to access and acquire knowledge for themselves. I hope & pray that learning will be a desire in every student, and no one will hinder a student from having this desire (including myself).
3) Too often people think of education in terms of the learning that takes place within a school building. However, I would argue that even though learning does take place in a school building, a majority of learning takes place every single day simply by living your life. Embrace every moment as a learning opportunity (even if it is hard).
5) I really struggle with this one, though I still hold it to be a philosophy of learning and growing. NEVER SAY THE WORDS "I can't". Words are powerful, and when we hear them enough we start to believe them. Always know that YOU CAN...whatever you put your mind to, you can accomplish. Speak positive things over yourself.
6) Grades/scores do not define who you are as a person. They are a part of our educational system. As long as you always strive to do your best, that is all the matters. However, never give less than your best.
Email: ms.cthompson@comcast.net
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Study Island Helps with what students do in school
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