I really don't like the idea of counting years, just as I don't like celebrating my birthdays. I was only counting because of others around me. I had colleagues celebrating their 5th year teaching or 10th or 30th. Celebrating how many years as a teacher doesn't make sense to me. I know teachers who have been teaching over 25 years and are as inexperienced as a first-year teacher. And at the same time, I know teachers who have been just teaching a few years and are way beyond their years at engaging and reaching their kids. So then what does matter to me?
So instead of counting the years, I reflect on my growth. Am I making the same mistakes as I did during my first years? Or even last year? Why did I make those mistakes? What did I learn from those mistakes? Who can I turn to for mentorship to help me grow as a teacher? And I try to do this continuously.
So hence the name of my blog: "Reflect, Revise, and Repeat." Strangely enough, it actually took me a long time to come up with this name. I was trying to come up with something novel, unique, and clever. I went through quite a few iterations. I tried to use the Japanese art/philosophy of Kintsugi as part of my title because I felt that is how I got to where I am now. But I couldn't get the word "Kintsugi" to fit naturally into the title. Finally, I decided to be authentic. I am straightforward and to the point. And so is my blog title.
I am not sure what I will write; probably just a record of my reflections and learning. I have been thinking of writing a blog for about a decade now. Fear was holding me back from doing so despite all the encouragement from friends and strangers.
I am finally ready.
