In my opinion, I am often rich as Crœsus, not in money, but (though it doesn’t happen every day) rich, because I have found in my work something to which I can devote myself heart and soul, and which gives inspiration and significance to life.
Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother Theo
This post is week 8 of 8 in the 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators.
The #8WeeksofSummer blogging challenge will stay with me. One takeaway is that I do better at blogging with a challenge. I’ve been blogging for close to ten years now, sometimes more regularly than others.
Here is a little history of my recent blogging:
In 2019, I made 16 posts. I began the year blogging, thanks to the #Blogging28 challenge last January through Edublogs, posting 5 times in January. In February through May, I made 3 more posts–no challenges. Then starting in June through today, I’ve made 8 posts in the #8WeeksofSummer challenge.
In 2018, I made 3 posts.
In 2017, I made 57 posts.
What was the difference between 2017 and 2018? Blogging challenges.
In 2017, I took two challenges, the #edublogsclub and #SliceofLife2017, which was each day in March and some Tuesdays after. In 2018, I took no challenges.
Writing heals and keeps me sane, so I need to take time to write. If blogging challenges are a way to encourage me to do that, I will take them.
Thank you so much to Penny Christensen for running this professional reflection challenge for this summer. Thanks also to Penny and other friends who came and commented on my blog–Sheri, Joy, and Scott.
Now. what will my next challenge be?
This post is week 7 of 8 in the 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators.
Well, this is a timely post! It’s bringing me back to my first 8 Weeks of Summer blog post where I shared my summer PD goals:
I will finish my TESOL Advanced Certificate Program.
I will do some work on my year plan and related resources for my grade 5 English learner class.
I will read 8 children and young adult books, which is nourishment for my soul as a reading teacher.
I will blog about my learning (and whatever else is in store for the #8WeeksofSummer challenge) at least 8 times.
Now, we are in week 7. It’s a good time to review what I planned and see how I’m doing.
First, my plan to finish my TESOL certificate has failed. I had believed that certificate would serve as credit for my teacher license re-certification credit, but, alas, it didn’t. When I went to renew my license, I saw that it would not count for the credit I needed. Instead I signed up for two other courses–Six Traits of Writing and Fierce Teaching. These are great classes, which will help me in my teaching and get me re-certified. By the way, my TESOL certificate will still be completed, but I’ll wait until the fall.
Second, I am continuing my work on my year plan for grade 5. Not as much as I want, but I will work more in August.
Third, regarding the nourishment for my soul, I am reading! In fact, I sometimes have to slap my hand and put the book down. I’ve read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, and I have almost finished The Reckoning by John Grisham. In addition, my suitcase has 220 children’s books to take back to Bahrain. I’m enjoying reading many of them too.
Fourth, I have managed to keep up blogging for the #8WeeksofSummer challenge. Thank you, Penny!
In addition, Gallit and I are enthusiastically working on the second edition of The Genius Hour Handbook.
I’m definitely learning, growing, and so busy this summer. I’m also having a wonderful time visiting my family. In August, when I travel back to Bahrain, I’ll get even more busy with my many professional development goals.
