Five is the magic number, I believe

At the end of last week, two different people I hold near and dear spoke kind and supportive words to me about this endeavor. One, who happens to be my brother, almost convinced me I was a superhero--a moment I will need to revisit a few times this year, I am sure.

After that, I met the school custodian, who was not only helpful but he also gave words of encouragement and support as I fussed about all I don't know.

Then, two OTHER people I think are fantabulous spoke even MORE kind words of affirmation to me--and even pooh poohed as I revisited how much I don't know (which is substantial). And that makes five. Positively delightful way to enjoy that number.

In other news, I was positively STYMIED by the notion of creating posters for my classroom this morning. It seemed I was committing something irreversible, indelible even, by putting tips and strategies on the walls. Sure I know how to read for deeper understanding, write with evidence to support my claims, and think analytically, but what if my students HATE the way I tried to explain it? What if they don't make sense? What if they do make sense and I have to follow through on them?

Whaaaat????

I wound up beginning with a generally accepted educational pep phrase ["Knowledge is power"] to get myself started. I even put it up to prove it look-at-able. Then I went crazy and made several others of increasing pizzazz, which made breakthrough poster less desirable, sort of like first-wife syndrome. :-/

OK, I know I'm going crazy. More to come...