I didn’t really want to start off with introductions. I’d much rather get right to it. However, I will give you some sense of who I am…but after I let you know the point of this blog.
THE POINT: I am always coming up with new material in my class. I have great difficulty repeating lessons because I always believe that there is a better way. This blog will document the pursuit of that “better way”. Some stuff will be awesome and different, some will awful, but still different. My goals are lofty. I want to find life-changing, life-defining, life-affirming purpose in everything I do. I would like to share what I find with you.
NOW FOR INTRODUCTIONS: I am a teacher at a small elementary school in Anmore, British Columbia, Canada. My name is Jennifer…actually Jen….Whiffin. The kids I teach are in grade 4 and 5. They are my project. I would like them to be on the lookout for their purpose in this world as well. If that is too much to expect, then I like to think that I am offering them a lot of meaty “consider the following” moments to add to their life portfolios. I want them to have a lot of happy options to choose from when they start to crave this choice.
I am also a mom of two young kids (4 and 2). Motherhood certainly defines me as well. It has given me a very humble edge because I do not have many answers when it comes to parenthood. I step lightly on the path of raising my kids. I’m not sure what effect my actions have, so I am pretty delicate in this area. For whatever reason, I am much more bold when it comes to teaching. I carry a machete and hack away at the undergrowth! O boldly and bravely I pursue my treasure! I guess my own children ARE my treasure and I feel like they are with me on the path. I stop, look, and listen much more often as a mother. Ideally, I would like to merge the two together somehow…
Anyway, time to shut up about me. Time is precious and more of me will surface as I add to this blog. My first posts will be some catch up, to warn you. A couple of big projects that I have been working on have been GOLD and you need to know about them. Oh…yes…it’s true that they involve the use of technology. I am excited to share them with you.
I wish you great joy and minimal boredom!
Jen

2 Comments
Comments feed for this article
February 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Welcome to the world of blogging. I’m delighted that I’ll be able to follow along and learn more about you in this opportunity to engage with your thinking as your blog grows. Thanks for alerting me to it. It looks like you’re off to a great start.
Enjoy
March 16th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Welcome to the bloggosphere Jen!
I’m coming up on 3 years of blogging and I can honestly say that you have started a lifelong learning and pro-d experience like no other!
Though I must admit to repeating a number of Math lessons that I found ‘worked’, I really understand your statement:
I have great difficulty repeating lessons because I always believe that there is a better way.
As I mentioned in a recent post, “Best Practice is still just practice”… as educators we understand that every class and every lesson is different, and learning is something exciting that educators need to continue to do.
I look forward to joining you on your journey!