The Big Fresh August 6, 2016 Teach Like You’re Scared to Death

The secret to my success is that I bit off more than I could chew and chewed as fast as I could.

Paul Hogan
“I hear you have a new teaching position,” my friend said to me.

“I do,” I said, smiling. “I’m so excited.  But I’m also terrified,” I confided.

This is the truth. I’m humbled by the opportunity, and excited about working with so many smart people who will teach me much. I am eager to begin.

However, I’m also scared to death.

I’ve failed before. I know what it feels like, and I know this is big. There’s a lot to be learned along the way. I know I will stumble. I know there will be parts that go well, but I also know there will be hard parts.   I’m certain I will fall along the way, but I’m hoping I can always get back up and learn from the experience.

Knowing the challenge ahead, I notice that I think differently.  As someone who has moved into different roles across my career, I recognize the change. There’s so much to be learned. I find myself grabbing every book I can that might help. I highlight, note, and ask new questions.  I stay caught up on my blog reading, and search for writers who will help me along my new path.

I talk to a lot of new people. I ask them questions, listen to the ways they work, and search for ways to be effective in my new role. I listen.  Not the “I hear what you’re saying” kind of listening, but the kind of listening that sinks deep into your bones.   I want to look at this new opportunity from a lot of perspectives.  I talk to people who do similar work, and people who are affected by people who do this kind of work.

When I get truly terrified, I take a deep breath and think about the people who will be by my side. We’ll be doing this work together. I know I’ll need to trust and let go. I will really not have any choice. This is also a good thing. This uneasiness, this uncertainty, is just where I need to be right now.

For me, it is when I have been in a place for some time that I try to watch myself.  As teachers we tend to stay in positions for extended time periods. It is easy to become complacent, to fall into routines, to quit asking questions, to quit searching. It is in these times that I don’t listen as carefully.  I just trudge forward without the careful thought and willingness to be redirected.

Yes, I approach this new experience with respectful trepidation . . . and absolute joy.  No matter what happens, I hope this time will remind me to always teach like I’m scared to death.

This week we look at transitions for teens and tweens. Plus more as always — enjoy!

Cathy Mere

Contributor, Choice Literacy

Cathy Mere is a literacy specialist in Hilliard (Ohio) City Schools. She is the author of More Than Guided Reading. A trained literacy coach and former Reading Recovery teacher, Cathy leads professional development workshops and presents at state and national conferences. She blogs at Refine and Reflect.

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