Bittersweet?

I missed Day 4.  I went to watch GUYER play football. It’s so weird, even this many years after Tripp graduated to sit in the stands and see other young men wearing the jersey #s of my son and his friends. I see my friends sitting in my place as a senior mom and my heart hurts a little for them. I know they they, too, will soon feel what I feel now.

There is, however, a silver lining for me. I have Brody. He has blessed our family many times over by being just the surprise we needed. I am excited about the future. I am looking forward to sitting again amongst those senior moms several years from now. I imagine I will approach it a little differently than I did the first go round, or even the second. I love my family and all the parts that make it unique. I know I’m blessed and plan to be present, in the moment, and enjoy whatever comes our way.

Choose joy, my friends. Why not?

Sincerely,
Tara Reed

Promise

Tonight was curriculum night at my school. I’m exhausted. I’m giving myself permission to let this be my writing for today.

Good night.
Sincerely,
Tara Reed

Data

Today I got to do one of my favorite things... talk about assessment practices and put them to use. One of the fun parts about having a new teammate is continuously being reminded of how important it is to have consistency and deep understanding in our work. It was engaging and informative to sit with colleagues, study student samples, and debate score points and evidence. These moments remind me of two things. First, my profession is remarkable. We work hard to ensure we are doing everything possible to move kids along in their learning. Second, our students are impressive. Every day I’m blown away by what they offer in discussions around books, writing, and life. They are such different people than we were when we were kids. I’m not sure I could have done what these kids do. They make it exciting to come to work and see what they come up with next.

Data is an amazing, complicated, needed tool for learning. I’m glad to have a district that values student progress and the importance of critical thinking.

Sincerely,

Tara Reed

Accountability

Today starts another new writing opportunity. I love these opportunities to focus on my writing, but I realize I need accountability. In the past, I’ve only been successful because I have had great friends and colleagues holding me accountable and cheering me on! This year I’m adding to that group with a colleague from my school (hey Ginny!👋), and I’m really excited about the month ahead. So thank you Mandy, Sandy, Brittany, Yesi, and especially Tenille (and anyone I left out). Without you guys pushing me along, I don’t think I would be continuing to sign up for these great opportunities.

I noticed a similar phenomenon happening in my classroom. We are working through a writing piece, and my students aren’t willing to let go of their own accountability partners, even when it’s an assessment. They deeply believe in the power of these relationships and their conversations are inspiring. One of my students was struggling with how to layout his story, so his partner set up labeled parts for him to think about what might go where (the orange). The writer was then free to think about how the story might be told in a way that builds to a climax and then ‘gets better’.

These kids were so eager to get/give feedback! They were working on helping their partners’ story hold a reader’s attention.

My point is, I guess, that it doesn’t matter whether you are a child or an adult, it is comforting to have a tribe of people with who you can share and you are confident they will be there to keep you on track.

See ya tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Tara Reed

Here we go!

Well... some people say better late than never. This year I’m hoping that’s true. It is March 3rd, and I am on my first day of posting for the Slice of Life Challenge this year. I must admit that I’m filled with trepidation, excitement, and a little dread. I know there will be days I forget to post. I also know that on the days I do post there will be nerves. It takes a lot of vulnerability to put your writing out into the world for others. Mostly, however, I am thankful for this community of writers and an opportunity to live that life we so often forget our kids are living when we ask them to share their writing with an audience.

Bring on March! I’m looking forward to the challenge!!!

Sincerely,
Tara Reed