Wednesday 10 September 2014

30-Day Blogging Challenge: Day 9: Biggest Accomplishment

Day 9: Write about one of your biggest accomplishments in your teaching that no one knows about (or may not care).

This one is really hard for me. I'm struggling to think of the "biggest" accomplishment, and something that "no one knows about". It feels like this question is leading me into a #humblebrag trap. I already did all that in my "About Me" page. (Find it if you want.)

I think my proudest accomplishments are the differences I see in individual students that I work with over the time that I get to work with them.

I had one student in the past, who on the first day I was with her, could not even say her name aloud in front of the class. Not a whisper of it. Paralyzed with shyness.

By the end of two years of working with her, she was confidently presented her research in live streamed events. Not only were her classmates and parents there, live, she was speaking a loud, clear, proud voice about really important things.

Getting to be a part of helping kids "hatch" into ever better versions of themselves is a humbling experience that I don't often brag about in public. There's a newer, better version of the #humblebrag.

EDIT: Oh man, I forgot. One student's mom told me I was his "second mom". Made me bawl.
One tough former student cried in a video and told me he'd always thought of me as his mom. Ugly crying for that one (on my part, that is!).

10 comments:

  1. I know how hard this must have been for you to write, which speaks to your selflessness. I know you have collected a treasure trove of these accomplishments and you've earned every one of them.

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  2. I'll echo Tiiu's thoughts! You have done so much, Shauna, and your students definitely benefit (as do all of the people that learn from you online). I love that you put your students at the forefront of your accomplishments. That shows that you really do make what you do about the kids! Awesome -- and so unbelievably important!

    Aviva

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Aviva. This was a hard one to write, but probably a really good exercise for me.

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  3. Your students are sol fortunate to learn with you and having you watch them row with their accomplishments. You are awesome and that is what the students see a loving teacher who cares and persevere for them.

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    1. Hi Rola,

      Thanks for the comment. I could echo these kind words right back at you!

      I love learning with and from you!

      Shauna

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  4. "Getting to be a part of helping kids "hatch" into ever better versions of themselves is a humbling experience that I don't often brag about in public." This quote could go into your future book! I love it. It rings so true to who you are. The passion you have for the development jumps right off the page! Thank you for sharing your heart.

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    1. Hi Maria,

      Thanks for the comment. The "hatching" line is a reference to my awesome students last year. Our class name was "Rainbow Eggheads" and, upon reflecting on our upcoming parting, one of the students said, "We're all hatching!" I immediately started to cry. I love establishing a culture, and even a language, with my students over the course of the year.

      Shauna

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  5. I know where you are coming from Shauna, when you talk of the #humblebrag trap. Accomplishments can be hard to share. But it is so important to reflect on them. Typically our teacher accomplishments are really student accomplishments that we have witnessed and have been a part of. There is no shame in that. And reflecting on them bolsters our confidence that we need to "keep on keeping on" during the times we might not see as much growth. 

    It is great to see students find their voice, be able to share of themselves and "hatch". Your class sounds like a great incubator!

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    1. Hi Sean,

      Thanks for the comment. Listening to educators like Kevin Honeycutt in podcasts has made me see how vitally important it is to publicly celebrate our successes. We need to be PR people for public education and change the message that the public is getting in regards to schooling. There are so many incredible things going on in our schools around the world, we need to feel empowered as educators to share them, humbly, but proudly!

      Shauna

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