Sure I felt like I'd gotten in over my head and the major projects had my stomach in knots but I met 32 other people just like me. We were all here because somewhere along the way we felt like we were in over our heads. And we were all anxious about the intensive two weeks ahead of us. But as the sessions began and we spent over 10 hours a day together we all found more in common. We needed help, we loved our kids, we wanted to make our programs better and hey, we were having fun.
At the ice cream social on our last night Anita had us tape a short spiel about the institute and one of the questions was "what was your favorite experience or memory?" At the time I mentioned two because I couldn't make up my mind but now, as I sit here writing this, I can narrow it down to one - the camaraderie.
We are from all over the country and we teach in very different circumstances but we've all clicked so well. We've laughed, we've joked, we've teased, we've supported. It really has been great meeting every one of these teachers and visiting with them about their goods and bads and learning from them. I'm not saying we're all bosom buddies now but I do feel like I could shoot an email out to the group or any one of these teachers and I'd get a helpful response, a sympathetic shoulder or a pat on the back.
I am one of seven journalism teachers in my district but I'm the only one at my school. It can be tough walking the halls with no one really understanding what you're going through. Now I feel like I've got 32 people on my side who are just a mouse click away.
A group outing to the swanky bowling alley.
Cheering each other on and chatting about whatever sure made for a fun time.
Emily Miller
Arlington High School
Arlington, Texas
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