MACUL Space

connecting educators & enhancing learning

Am I Doing Enough?

How often do you ask yourself "am I doing enough?" I've been blessed to have a number of fantastic role models in my life; both educators and leaders that have shown me that a truly dedicated teacher will always be asking themselves whether or not their instruction is getting better or worse?

No middle of the road here. Just as the sliding sands of a Lake Michigan dune will give way beneath your feet as you attempt an assent, so too will efficacy in the classroom slip from your grasp the moment you stop reflecting upon your methods. So it was this morning, the first day back from Christmas break, that I read through an enormous list of educators that are actively engaged in online netw..., found a post of 8 new typing websites, and realized that I have not achieved a great deal of what I hope to accomplish while serving on the MACUL board. Perhaps the problem is that with information coming from so many sources, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by how amazingly effective other educators around me are. Then again, perhaps I've been letting myself stand still for too long that my previous accomplishments aren't propelling my further anymore. Whichever is the case, I know that with this new year I need to do more; I need to read more, write more (especially write more), think more, and above all else, CREATE more.

Starting with aligning my lessons more closely to state content area expectations, and moving slightly away from the simple technology benchmarks and standards. Follow that up with a healthy dose of communication via MACUL Space, my personal blog, and other media, and I think that by lifting up my students' successes, I will again start to feel more successful. I know that I'll never be doing enough, but it feels good to at least give form to these thoughts, as I'm hoping it will prove to be a good catalyst.

Comment by Kevin J. Galbraith on January 9, 2008 at 3:49pm: You GO Ben!

Comment by Danielle Letter on January 13, 2008 at 5:39pm: Well, from another post of yours about the Mii I went online and created my own (showed it to another teacher, laughed hysterically..). I know that is one thing that I'll take back to my 6th graders after we finish our current project. Just by posting and offering these links, discussions, and ideas, you are creating change. Sometimes it's tough to remember, and because I'm my own worst critic I sympathize. Just know others see the amazing things you do and think to themselves, "I wish I could be like Ben". :)

Comment by janeaddams on January 17, 2008 at 3:39pm: Do you have a Ning site that your students use?

Comment by Ben Rimes on January 18, 2008 at 10:10am: Jane: I don't use Ning with my students, simply because I see over 800 of them each week. If it was just one classroom then I could easily manage that, but trying to manage over 800 students and monitor them would be a bit difficult. That having been said, I know there are teachers using Ning with their students.

Comment by Lalla Jones on January 22, 2008 at 8:38am: Ben,
I often ask myself the same question. As you stated in your comment, there as so many demands placed on our time and trying to balance all of the demands can seem overwhelming. But I think the fact that you are asking the question indicates that you WILL do more. Starting with making sure your lessons with the GLCEs is a great first step.
And as for feeling down because you can't do all the wonderful things others are doing... Well, everyone has his or her own strengths and I'm sure there are things that you are doing that others wish they could do as well.

Comment by Ben Rimes on January 22, 2008 at 12:22pm: Thank you very much Lalla. It's true, I get too bummed out about my weaknesses, but it's alright; eventually I'll have figured out a way to balance out my strengths so that I can make up for all the cool things I don't do :)

Comment by Katie Allen on March 6, 2008 at 3:23pm: I ask myself this all of the time...I recently addressed this on my blog as I had read a post from someone else who pondered the same thing. I have concluded that it is all good; that I have to be comfortable being a work in progress. I would be so boring if I were the final product!

Comment by Ben Rimes on March 8, 2008 at 7:58am: Oooo, I like that line, can I steal it Katie? It's so true, ideas and projects only get better with age and the more brains that work on it.

Comment by Katie Allen on March 8, 2008 at 10:20am: Absolutely- I'm flattered. Ever since I've decided to add that line to my list of personal mantras (another other being "change is good") I've experienced a positive shift in my thinking and feelings regarding my work. That's another reason I am so excited to join and contribute within this network; the long-term impact of this group has unbelievable exponential potential! It makes my brain hurt trying to grasp the extent of it all. I believe collaboratively there is just no stopping us!

Comment by Danielle Letter on May 4, 2008 at 8:22pm: Karen- I bring problem solving lessons to my 6th grade classrooms. I have students come up to the overhead and illustrate the process on how they reached their answers. Right or wrong, the dialogue we have is always fantastic. Even more exciting is when I find the 6th graders explanations on how they reached their answers teach me new ways to solve a problem! (Sometimes their explanations are better than mine, too) :)

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