Walking Alongside Friends

Thank you to Ruth Ayres for the opportunity to focus on celebrations every week! September 19 will mark our 100th celebration! Please join us!

As I prepare to return for my twenty-first year as a teacher, I am taking time to reflect. Twenty-one years ago, I walked into a third grade classroom, Room 110, excited and nervous and ready to teach. I walked into that room alone armed only with my ideas. Twenty-one years later, as I walk into Room C10, I walk in with a crowd of support. I am not alone...

As I walk into my classroom,

I walk with Stacey who reminds me that I am a writer when I wonder and question myself. Her unwavering faith in me pushes me to continue when I think I can’t.

I walk with Lee Ann who inspires me to be more creative in my notebook and in my life.

I walk with Margaret who shares her creativity and poetry and her kindness.

I walk with Julieanne who always encourages me to think about things in a new way with her thoughtful words and ideas.

I walk with Tara who shares creative ideas that I borrow and use with my students.

I walk with Linda who reads everything and shares her thoughts about these books and words and ideas.

I walk with Beth who introduced me to my favorite new pens, Ener Gel!

I walk with Holly who reminds me to hold onto my faith and to make the world a better place and to share those qualities with my students.
I walk with Kathleen who lives her positive attitude in everything she writes and shares.

I walk with Ruth who celebrates and demonstrates the power of kindness and gratitude.

I walk with Leigh Anne who asks questions and reflects and shows me how to always work to improve as a teacher...and a writer.

I walk with Jennifer who shares her positivity and laughter and motivation and who invites me to be more than I think I can be.

I celebrate each one of you (and so many more that I haven’t named here). You walk with me on that first day of school and all of the days that follow. I listen to your voices when I don't know what to do and when I need support. I'm grateful that I no longer walk alone. It’s good to be surrounded by friends!

Note: The form for this post was inspired by Patrick Allen's thoughtful Facebook post to some of the greats in the world of literacy. He inspired me to think about who I carry in my heart. Here's a peek at his post...