“Will it go round in circles?”
– Billy Preston
Tomorrow I get to start again…and I’m psyched. Calling this a second chance isn’t appropriate, I chose to leave the classroom two years ago. Similarly, I chose to go back.
When I met the teachers I served at A+ College Ready two years ago, I told them, “I’m a teacher, I’m a teacher, I’m a teacher.” I took the Science Content Director job to help other teachers learn how to teach essential AP content, and I always told them to trust their gut and rely on their best practices. After a year on the job, my initial words rang true. I’m a teacher. I belong in the classroom. I am best when I am leading by example, not as an observer and adviser.
Simply put, life is short. I firmly believe you should do what you love, and be great at it. In my humble opinion, a well-lived life is a life of passion, and a life where you can make a good living serving the greater good. I find that life in teaching. I was put on this planet to teach science. Simply put. I made a decision to get back in the classroom early in 2012, and I’m going back.
I hope to inspire that passion, and that clarity of purpose in my students this year. I’ll be working with a wide range of young people. I’ll have the best and the brightest at JCIB as well as students struggling to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. When I interviewed for the job, I was asked about this challenge. I used a running analogy to frame my thinking. Great runners aren’t just good at a 5K or a marathon. Great runners are good at all middle distances and long distances. Great runners have range. The same goes for great teachers. I think I’m a great teacher, and I think I’ve got range. My job is to meet my students where they are and push them further.
In closing (or is it opening?), remember the most important thing I learned as a Content Director: reflection without action is nothing more than mental masturbation. Great teachers are people of action. They constantly work to improve their practice, and improve the outcomes for their students.
Congratulations, Ryan, on your return to the classroom. You are an inspirational teacher and leader for your students, they are privileged to have you in the classroom! Every parent would love to know their children were being inspired to reach further and strive for success with a teacher like you! We look forward to working with you again at the Auburn AP Summer Institute in June 2013. Let me know if our office can be of service to you in your new endeavor. Regards, Claire Twardy, AP Summer Institute, Auburn University.
thanks, Claire. Great to hear from you.
–Ryan