Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

As the 2012 school year ended, I realized a mantra had gradually developed that embodied the entire nine months: “forget theory, give me practical application.”  This year, my mantra has already manifested itself: “just because I can doesn’t mean I should.”  

I need to give credit where credit is due.  Kevin Randall, science teacher extraordinaire, has lived this idea since he was in high school.  He has developed an entire livable philosophy (see my 2012 mantra) that sums up my 2013 motto.  Kevin helped to create the Better Everyday movement, a theory that asserts we each have the choice to improve our lives if we state and keep specific goals that are paired with specific action plans.  My BE goal this year revolves around organization, an elusive beast that is a continual figment of my professional imagination.  I am not totally unorganized--my clothes are color coded and hanging neatly in closet; my shoes are arraigned by type and brand; my books are alphabetized and very, very neatly arraigned in a rather impressive Dewey fashion.  Classroom organization eludes me.  I cannot seem to master the odds and ends of a high school teacher.  I am late taking attendance, horrible at creating a streamlined paper system, and creative in my ability to “organize” manila file folders into a giant pile of chaos.  

So let’s be honest.  I could be organized if I truly valued organization.  I read once that what we care about dominates our time.  I spend time doing many other things other than organizing my room and desk.  I will spend three hours working with a student on a paper but not take the 15 minutes necessary to write the next day’s assignments on the board.  If I can focus on something other than paperwork, I do.  But that isn’t the best course of action for me.  I am stressed and worried too often, and my anxiety is often way too high.  Papers pile up in my study at home and my desk at school.  This is no longer an acceptable course of action for me.  Because of Kevin and MASC/MAHS Student Leadership Camp Level II, I have accepted the challenge to be Better Everyday  and don the mantle of organization.   

This mantra of mine, this idea that ability does not grant inherent permission, is going to be key to my continued development as a teacher.  I can spend an entire Saturday watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey (I mean c’mon...who couldn’t???) but should  I?  I will be asking myself “can vs. should” all year.  I am going to be officially starting school tomorrow, and I am excited to see the growth my motto will bring. Can vs. Should--let the games begin!