NTO Optimism

New Teacher Orientation (NTO) starts at LTPS on Monday.  For the first time in 8 years, I won't be leading the new team as a member of Instructional Services.  My Supervisor friends joke with me that in the past they just "let me go" because I am so passionate about starting these new teachers off on the right foot. And, I don't apologize for being a little over zealous.  I love New Teacher Orientation week because you can feel the excitement in the air. They are the most positive, nervous, inspired group of professionals around-and they should be.  I read a quote recently by Colleen Wilcox that said "Teaching is the greatest act of optimism."  That's what I feel when I'm with new teachers-Optimistic.  I wish I could harness that hopefulness and take it out during those, well, not so optimistic moments in our careers. I would keep it like a little bottle of air freshener to spray around the building when times are tough-LOL!

 I really enjoyed Jennifer Gonzalez's blog post with amazing advice for new teachers-a suggestion on how to remain optimistic, "Find Your Marigold."  She suggests that new teachers surround themselves with good people-protectors-marigolds.  These people will improve your growth, the way a marigold improves the growth of plants around it. I'm sure those of us in education for a while can think back to our "marigolds."  We couldn't have done it without them.  So, if you are a veteran teacher reading this-Be someone's "marigold." Encourage and support our new teachers.  You know that they will need someone to talk to and try out new ideas with, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to send them back to their students refreshed and optimistic. If you are a new teacher reading this-Good luck, hang on to that optimism, find your "marigolds" and know that you will make connections with your students this year that will live in your heart forever!

Check out the Marigold post referenced above by Jennifer Gonzalez-http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/marigolds/