What About That 2014 Word?

Each year, for the past few years, I choose one word as my "resolution." For 2014, I chose ENJOY.

I went back and read the post about choosing this word, written those long 12 months ago. Here's the quote that jumped out at me--

I'm going to enjoy this year, no matter what comes along. (Uh, oh.)

This was an interesting year, a year to challenge my joy and my enjoyment. My wife was injured in a car accident; I was not rehired at my school; life continues even when insurance or income doesn't.

This was also a year to find new areas of enjoyment. We have wonderful friends that continue to bless us; I actually enjoy grocery shopping; I can now cook more meals; driving Mrs. Cindy is a lot of fun; I really like to write and I'm good at it.

What have I learned? Joy, true joy, isn't tied to circumstances.

I have been stressed. I didn't like everything that happened to us this year. We are still in a journey of discovery and adventure. Uncertainty isn't my favorite thing.

But in the midst of it all, I see things to enjoy. And I can rest in the joy that God brings each and every day.

When I chose ENJOY in January, I had no idea what the year would hold. But I'm thankful for each experience this year that has helped me to see beyond the immediate circumstances and find the thankfulness and joy within them.

I've been pondering the word for 2015. That post is coming next week.


Other posts about ENJOY:

• January: Choosing One Word for 2014 - My plans to enjoy this year
• February: The Enjoyment Detection - Looking for the enjoyable moments
• March: One of Those Days - Releasing frustration to make room for enjoyment
• April: Where Would I Be Today Without Teaching? - Realizing that I am enjoying what I'm doing

(I have also enjoyed filling my #EmptyShelf with 36 books I've read this year.) 

Wandering Around the Craft Store

My word for this year is ENJOY. I'm working on being present and enjoying what happens as I teach and learn.

As this summer has unwound, I've discovered something. Well, not discovered it; I already knew it. I've just been reminded of it. I feel guilty when I'm not doing something "productive." When I do something just for the enjoyment of it, I feel like I'm wasting time. 

I've been reading. A lot. And not books on being a better teacher or techniques for helping kids learn. Novels. Mysteries. Interesting nonfiction that has nothing to do with education. I felt guilty about it. But I don't now. (Check out my Empty Shelf to find out what I've been reading.)

Resting and enjoying are productive. I can get recharged and inspired and ready to tackle the next productive thing.

I was feeling rather down and uninspired the other day. So I went to a local craft store and just wandered around. I wasn't looking for anything. In fact, when I went to the "teacher section," I immediately turned and left.

And I found some inspiration and ideas. I jotted a couple of things down for this blog. Ideas that I hope will grow into reality. Or may not. And that's okay. I was energized, my enthusiasm jump-started again.

I saw this.

It's a stand-up caddy for crafts. It folds closed. It has smaller pockets and the large storage area. I began wondering. What could I use this for in my classroom? A portable center. A reading nook accessary. A bin for a tossing game. Lots of ideas. It was on sale but I didn't buy it. Yet.

Then I saw these.

T-shirts with chalkboard area. What? I didn't know these existed. I think these would be great as pillows. To use in a center/area of the room. These were also on sale. I didn't buy any but I think I may go back and get some to make some pillows. (If I do, I'll post about it.)

When I was talking to my wife, a sewing expert, she said, "Well, you can get some of that fabric and make pillows, too." What?? I checked online. You can get blackboard fabric. 

I did enjoy myself. I think I'm going to go on other exploration trips for ideas and just relaxing.

On my exploration at the craft store, I also saw this sign.

Yep. It's my motto for this summer.

Where Would I Be Today Without Teaching?

My word for this year is ENJOY. I'm working on being present and enjoying what happens as I teach and learn.

When I chose ENJOY for my 2014 One Word, I didn't realize how important that word would become this year. (And it's only April.)

Eighteen months ago, I began this journey to my new dream - an elementary teacher. I began with excitement and a little fear. Things have been challenging, both last year and this one. I've learned and grown from each of those challenges, and I know that I'm growing toward the teacher I should be.

I've been looking for things to enjoy and finding them here and there.

Things in my class have been a little crazy since we returned from Spring Break. Apparently, the students think we're done. And we are definitely not.

And my university classes are winding down, so I have lots of assignments to finish up. I began to feel like I was fraying at the edges.

This week - this long week - I was thinking about things. I have had some successes and some, well, failures. I began thinking about the change that I made those eighteen months ago. I wondered where I would be today if I had not made that change. I thought about my previous job; what I was doing and what I would probably be doing now if I had stayed there. Several possibilities went through my head.

And I realized that I would not be happier in any of those scenarios than where I am now. In fact, I would be so much more unhappy. I am right where I should be, enjoying things as I should. (Even if I don't always "feel" it)

Then I thought about all I've been doing for my university classes. This time next year, I will be finishing those classes. I'll have another master's degree. I'll have a permanent teaching license. I'll have 3 years experience in teaching elementary school. All things to enjoy, even if the process now is sometimes not so enjoyable.

One day at the end of the week, I came into the house and my wife asked how my day was. I stopped and thought. It was not a bad day. In fact, it was a pretty good day. There were some challenges throughout the day; there were ups and downs; but things were accomplished and things were enjoyed.

I almost missed it because I didn't think about it.

My kids reminded me about enjoying this week. They began talking about the party we had at Christmas. It was a simple party, not very exciting on the party continuum. But they were excitedly talking about the simple things we did. How much they enjoyed it.

Enjoying doesn't take a lot of wild and crazy things. Enjoying can be decorating a cookie or stringing straw pieces on a necklace. Enjoying can be reading a book that has nothing to do with teaching and learning. Enjoying can be sharing a joke with a group of eight-year-olds.

I'm enjoying these next few weeks of school. After that they won't be my students anymore. But they will always be my kids. My enjoyable kids.

One of Those Days

My word for this year is ENJOY. I'm working on being present and enjoying what happens as I teach and learn.

Have you ever had one of those days? Our school had one last week.

A water main broke in our school's area. No notification early in the morning. So we all gathered at school and began the school day. With no water. Which means no working restrooms.

Not a great environment for learning. We couldn't leave school (for some reason). So we kept going, as best as we could.

Then the fire alarm went off. I wasn't aware of a drill but out I went. It wasn't a drill. My kids were in PE so I joined them outside. In the frosty air. With no coats.

We waited for a half hour or so. The fire truck came. But no fire. (I don't know what would have happened if there was a fire. Remember, no water.)

A mix-up in the afternoon completed the day. I changed my lesson plan, readjusted it, and then changed it again. (You know, a typical day.)

Throughout the day, I heard comments from colleagues about the terrible day. But I didn't have the same feeling. Yes, it was challenging. But my students stayed on task, some more than usual. We adjusted and adapted. We laughed and had fun. We learned something.

On this yearly journey of ENJOY, I think I did. On one of "those days."

In fact, there were other days that I enjoyed less last week. We're still working on staying on task and not yelling out our every thought. A few times last week, I was really frustrated. And - what did I learn? Release it.

I must consciously (and even audibly and softly) release those feelings. When the frustration and anger are released, I can take a breath and deal with things more appropriately. Then the possibility is open for more enjoyment (or at least not creating less enjoyment for me or the kids).

Lessons:

• Keep looking for the small things to enjoy.
• Let go of frustration and make room to enjoy.

The Enjoyment Detection

My word for this year is ENJOY. I'm working on being present and enjoying what happens as I teach and learn.

A month of focusing on ENJOY. I've already blogged about not much enjoyment.

But, as I reflect on this month, I think I see part of the problem. Enjoyment isn't just a feeling or a sustained state. It's detecting and recognizing moments of success and fun.

I've had a few of those this past month. While struggling with good classroom management, I've seen some adjustments to creating a better overall environment. I had a day that was full of moments to enjoy.

I see kids progressing. A boy that struggles with reading works through a difficult word. Kids tell me, "Mr. Wiley, this is a piece of cake!" as we work on mental addition.

A boy reads me his poem: "Violets are red, Violets are blue, Violets are green." I remind him that his poem is about reading, so he adds, "I like to read."

We work as a group to create a story about a mother who goes to the store, sees a wrestling match there, buys lots of chocolate ice cream, and has a party with her friends when she arrives home.

I hear "You are the best teacher" when we finally get to go outdoors for a short recess. I run with them toward the playground when we get outside.

When we subtracted to figure out how old Martin Luther King would be in 2014, a girl observed, "If he wasn't dead, he would still be alive."

We read a story about a man with lots of ties. I wore a tie one day and the kids were so excited. "Mr. Wiley," one said, "just like Mr. Tanen!"

I saw kids smile when they figured out a riddle, exclaim when they found a word that had a certain sound we were exploring, and beam when they did addition in their heads.

All things to enjoy. All things I did enjoy.

What I've learned in one month of focusing on this word - I must find the moments to enjoy - and let go of the need to constantly find the "failures" or "misses."

My class is full of moments to enjoy. At the end of the day, I need to recognize and remember them.

Not Enjoying Yet

I knew when I chose ENJOY as my word for 2014, I was asking for trouble. And that's happened. Since we've started back to school, it seems that things have felt just about everything but enjoyable.

My kids seems more ramped up and less attentive. Less interested in working or paying attention or doing anything but what they want.

Yes, I know they are 7 and 8 years old. Yes, I know that kids are like that. But things seem a level higher on the challenge scale. Of course, the temps have been crazy cold and they are cooped up all the time (in school and out of school).

I have had some warm fuzzies and small triumphs. I have enjoyed some of the things that are happening. But Thursday - at one moment - if there had been anyone...ANYONE... that could have stepped into my classroom, I would have left for the day. (I know, terrible teacher.)

So, I vented and fretted and worried. I pondered that whatever is going on in the classroom is, at the root, my fault. My responsibility. But generating motivation and interest is hard. Maybe my skills aren't up to it yet.

On the way home, I continued to think about things; actually I just began to really dig in and think about solutions (other than being "sick" and a sub coming in). I need to listen to what the kids are telling me and how I can address that. And that doesn't mean we just cut math and spend the afternoon on games on the computer. I need to find ways to keep things moving. I need to work with individuals to find out what can help them focus and concentrate. And I need to get things together so those who are on track don't get penalized by those who aren't.

I need to regroup. Recognize the small moments when things happen that feel right and are right. I'm having some challenges. But I do care about these kids. They deserve the best I can give. I still have things to try and successes to enjoy.

Guess I'll go back.

Empty Shelf Challenge

Recently Jon Acuff issued a challenge. Clean a shelf in your home; as you complete books from now through the end of 2014, put them on the shelf. I've decided to be a part of the Empty Shelf Challenge.

I read e-books, library books, and purchased books. So I decided to create an online empty shelf. I'll add each book I read to this shelf. My goal for this time next year? 52 books read.

I've read more than that in a year in the past. But in recent years, I've slowed down and read about half that amount. My new teaching adventure and my university classes have cut into my reading time. But I want to crank it up this year.

Every book I complete will go on my online shelf. Books about teaching and education. Science fiction and mystery fiction. Probably even some YA fiction. I won't include picture books that I read with my class but I will include chapter books we read over time.

I think this will be a fun challenge - and having a goal will help me read more than I have in 2013.

And this will be a part of my focus for the year - I will enjoy reading more this year.

Choosing One Word for 2014

A couple of years ago, inspired by One Word 365, I began choosing one word to guide me for the year. Instead of resolutions or goals, I use this one word to help me focus for the year.

As I pondered which word to choose for 2014, several contenders came to mind: 

Improve

Impact

Breathe

None seemed just right. Then, as I reflected and pondered and dreamed about this year, one word rose to the top. My one word this year is ENJOY.

I like to reflect and evaluate - something you already know if you read many posts on this blog. What I have realized in recent days is that I sometimes let reflection and evaluation take over. Too many times I worry about what is happening or what needs to change next time rob me of the enjoyment of the moment. 

This year I want to enjoy what is happening now. I want to see the excitement as we play Name That Number. I want to be present as a child tells me a story (that goes on and on and takes up "instructional time").

"Enjoy" doesn't mean to shirk responsibility. It doesn't mean living in the moment with no concern for where we are going or what we are doing. But it does mean to enjoy what is happening, to be in the moment.

“We're so busy watching out for 

what's just ahead of us that 

we don't take time to 

enjoy where we are.”  

--Calvin and Hobbes

I want to see the fun and joy in what we are doing instead of always planning on the next step or evaluating effectiveness. 

I'm going to enjoy the unique personalities in my room.

I'm going to enjoy what we are doing in the classroom - and adjust when things don't seem to be very enjoyable.

I'm going to enjoy my own interests in the evenings and weekends - and not feel guilty that I'm spending time doing something fun or not work-related.

I'm going to enjoy this new adventure I started last year.

Will I still have frustrations or worries? Anxieties and reflections? Yes.

But those won't steal the joy that comes from being with young kids every day. I'm going to enjoy this year, no matter what comes along. (Uh, oh.)

I'll post updates on my one word throughout the year. (Links will be housed on the One Word page.)

What one word will be your focus in 2014?