Rich Henderson's Diary
The First 180 Days

Rich's Diary: Day 100

Week 21

That special day is finally here! It is the day that many younger elementary school students have eagerly anticipated. Day after day, week after week, many calendars were marked as the countdown continued. It is a day that is celebrated with fanfare, stories, feelings of accomplishment, and the ever-present elementary school cupcakes.

Although the day may have gone relatively unnoticed by my fifth-grade class, I, on the other hand, could not wait for it to arrive. The special day was the 100th day of school, and it was an opportunity for me to reflect on what I have experienced during my first five months of school.

Milestones are measured in many different ways. Anniversaries, birthdays, and retirements are just a few of the many types of milestones. Each one provides the guest of honor with an opportunity to look back and reflect upon what he or she has accomplished. For me, the 100th day of school is a milestone that facilitates reflecting upon what I have learned during my brief career as a teacher. I have learned two very important lessons.

First, a school day rarely goes just as it was planned. Events, such as assemblies, guest presentations, and special activities, occur during the day, which mandate a change in lesson planning. Other changes may be the result of a student's question or concern that becomes a catalyst for a "teachable moment." Such moments, although unplanned, can be as effective educationally as those that have been well planned and anticipated. Accepting the notion that the day will probably not go as planned allows me to teach with a minimal degree of frustration -- and a great deal of flexibility. "Going with the flow" is, indeed, an important aspect of teaching.

The other lesson that I have learned is the importance of listening to my students. Listening to their words is the easy part. Listening to what they are not saying takes a great deal of practice. I have realized that my students have worlds of their own that they bring with them to school. For some, their worlds are warm and bright. For others, their worlds may not be as glowing because of certain challenges and obstacles. By listening to my students, I can learn so much about their worlds, which in turn helps me teach to their individual needs -- and, I hope, help make their lives a little brighter.

I don't know exactly why I have been so eager for the 100th day of school. It is like my personal New Year's Day celebration. It's a time to learn from the past and make resolutions for the future. Since I usually keep one-half of my resolutions, I have made two. One is to learn something each day that will help me become a better teacher. The other is to limit my intake of those celebratory cupcakes. I wonder which of the two resolutions is worth keeping?

(See the main article: The First 180 Days: First-Year Teacher Diaries for a link to the Education World message boards and an opportunity to respond to Rich!)

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Rich Henderson
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