Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1017146
ANGIE PEREIRA: "I moved around a bit and was new to districts on a few occasions. Combined with the recession, this meant I was a RIF (reduction in force) layoff many, many times. The job uncertainty can make you feel powerless — no matter how hard you work, or how successful you are, the RIF can still occur. All I knew to do was what I always do: Do your best and feel good about that and try not to focus on the things out of your control." MELISSA WEST: "A really tough group of parents weren't happy with me. I am very much a pleaser, and it drove me crazy that I couldn't seem to do anything right for them that year. It was so bad that I was physically ill and would break out in hives. You can't control everything, but what you can control is what happens inside your classroom. It was a learn- ing process for me that I can now look back on and know in my heart that what is most important are those children who enter my room each day. It is my responsibility to teach them in the best way I know how and with the materials and support I have from my colleagues and administration." ALEXIS WEINER: " This past year there were several deaths by suicide in our school community, on top of national and worldwide unrest and uncertainty. Balancing my obligation to the curriculum and my ninth-graders' emotional needs stretched me and colleagues in ways we hadn't before. The days after [the suicides] and after Parkland could not be busi- ness as usual. I had to be real with my students. I couldn't make their pain and loss go away, but I could give them space to grieve and write and think and meditate and process. They used the time to do those things and more — they grew as humans, which is far more than I can give them from any textbook or lesson plan." THERESA WETHERHOLD: "Know that there will be moments of complete and utter chaos throughout the school year. Keep in mind that 'this too shall pass.' Each school year is a sprint, but your career is a mar- athon. Let go of the negative, hold on to the positive, and keep on keeping on." Keep perspective — especially during challenges " CTA's Good Teaching Conference is one of the best conferences you can go to for new ideas and to make great contacts." — Angela Normand, Brentwood Teachers Association Transitional kindergarten teacher Melissa West, right, with her class aide Allison Jamar. 40 cta.org BTS 2018 s p e c i a l i s s u e