Fabulous McNerdison

As many of you know, I fully embrace my inner nerd.  If I didn’t think it would be a bad look for me, I would wear a T-shirt that says I Heart Learning, but T-shirts always look so tent-y on me.  Regardless, I always feel insanely energized when discussing a new teaching strategy or watching someone demo a brilliant read aloud that I want to get back to my room to try it myself like twenty minutes ago!!

In my classroom, I tried my hardest to not be complacent.  Granted, there were days (those days) when I just wanted to put my head down on a desk or leisurely sip my coffee while taking in some Matt Lauer, but hey, we ALL have those days. 

I have been having this wonderfully indulgent year in which I get to finish my dissertation (a goal which doesn’t always feel so fabulous, but I have to believe will do something for me someday…some day that feels far far away…so far…), write as Mrs. Mimi and create a website for YOU ALL that ROCKS, REFRESHES and RE-ENERGIZES your teaching Mo Jo.  (Or at least I hope it does.)  Believe me, I know how lucky I am.  But I miss that feeling of nerding out with my Super Colleagues.  Those moments when you are exchanging ideas and think to yourself, “Self, this is pretty hot stuff.  There is hope.  We are able to create change!” and you kind of want to run out to the playground and hug all your little friends and tell them that it will all be okay…

Too far?

I think you know what I mean.

Well, today I nerded out pretty hard core with some fabulous individuals who are totally Pro Teacher (Yes, those people DO exist!) and all about creating a shift away from the standardization, mechanization and bubblization (I can make up words.  I am a writer.) of the learning experience.  We talked about teachers, who they are as people and how they can infect children with a joy of learning.  And while I get that it totally sounds like then we danced underneath rainbows together and gave out free hugs, it wasn’t like that.  It was an idealistic conversation, but grounded in practical applications, action and a need to stay positive in this Negative McPointsTheFinger climate we are currently trying to survive.

I mean, can you say breathe of fresh freaking air???

*inhales deeply*

So pardon the bit of a mind dump post today, but Mrs. Mimi is feeling excited and as if there is possibility out there.  And I feel like we all could use a piece of that.