There’s this funny idea out there, brought to us no doubt by idiotic advertising campaigns like Mountain Dew, that will delude us all at least once and perhaps many times if we refuse to take responsibility and learn from the happy delusion caused by this seemingly sensical idea. This of course is the notion that “been there” actually means “done that”, and that whatever IT is has been done not only well but pretty much with totally awesome second time around expertise. Perhaps this appropriate advice for someone who is sculpting a creamy peanut butter sandwich for the second time but in terms of sculpting young adolescent rebellious minds: this couldn’t be further from the truth–at least in my humble experience. Truth: I was more like M.C. Hammer’s second album (honestly: too legit, should’ve quit)–admittedly, I sucked more the second time around than the first. Second truth: I still love teaching. I think partly the uncomfortable second year experience has only brought me closer to appreciating the first… As I’ve focused entirely too much on negative aspects this past year (which has done me no good and brought only a split second of self-gratification), I’ve decided that crap-talk about school has started to bore me and I’m pretty much over it. Also, it’s been recently brought to my attention that I have no control over the past! Imagine that. So I beat on, a small raft against the current, ceaselessly into the past. Or no–I didn’t say that–and I’m pretty sure I like the present a whole lot more. So here’s to new beginnings…and to summer 2009. Amen, sisters.
J
Anne Sutton
wennerth
Amen indeed. I think it’s so funny (funny weird more than funny haha) that we all (maybe? I don’t want to speak for all two of us besides you, wennerth) had this same experience of sucking more second year. I know we talked about some of the whys–losing track of our own purposes for teaching, getting too bogged down in what we *ought* to be doing rather than what we really *are* doing–but still: This has to be a rather widespread phenomenon? By which I mean, Is this a widespread phenomenon? The Second-Year Suck? And if so, why aren’t more people telling us about it?
I don’t have any preconceptions for third year. I’ve got no sense of its potential character. That means endless possibilities, right? I think that’s what it means, Gatsby.
I was wondering about this as well–I feel as though most educator folk only discuss the trials and tribulations of the infamous first year. After that–piece-o-cake. I can’t say I have explicit preconceptions in terms of my teaching next year but I do have some preconceived notions about how some other things might go down; none of which are worth sharing…well that is, until I become certified in clairvoyance, then we may have some conclusive evidence worth publishing–but ladies, I can’t promise this–I think I’m more intuitive than I truly am.
So now what? Summer is beginning to take its seat and she’ll sit there until August if we let her. What are some goals for the summer? Can we get those accomplished so that we feel rip-roaring ready for 09-10?