Making Memories
I want to share a simple piece of advice that I wish I had received earlier in my life.
Make memories whenever you can.
Little girl with big glasses thinking.
Let’s explore how this plays out in your personal life and in the classroom.
First, personally, with your sweetheart, your family, your close friends…pause a moment to reflect on what’s most special about those relationships. I bet a memory popped into your mind. There are some freeze-frame “Hallmark Moments” that could be on the front of a greeting card. Right? It was a moment of intimate connection -- a shared laugh, an act, a look or a comment that you’ll remember forever.
I love getting together with my sisters and reminiscing, especially around holidays. We open with “Do you remember the time that Mom lost the dishcloth, accused us, and then found it in the refrigerator?“ or “I’ll never forget the look on your face when you sneezed into your cereal bowl, and you had to change your corn-flakes-and-milk-soaked dress.” Some of these recollections make us laugh, sometimes they make us flinch, but they all create deeper bonds of connection and belonging.
But memory making isn’t just in the past. When my sister recently asked about my never-ending career, I shared about Dale, the boy in my 7th grade English class more than 50 years ago, who stumped me as a first year teacher. When she looked interested, I shared my resolve to find a way to help him and then how my whole career has been a recurring theme -- finding a way to help transitioning students, other transition coordinators across the state, my preservice and inservice college students, and then teachers and leaders in the field.
That moment with her became a new memory for me: the understanding look on her face when she said, “Oh, I’ve wondered why you haven’t retired. I get it now. You just can’t. Schools need your help.” I felt known and appreciated.
And last week I became a grandmother! I’m suddenly really interested in the whole idea of making memories. So I wonder…what transforms a moment into a memory? Why do some moments stick with us?
A New Year’s Call to Teachers:
How could we use this new insight as teachers? How could we create memories for our students? At this point in history when we have endured traumas, disruption, and disconnection, most of us are starved for deep belonging. We all long to be seen for our own unique value.
Can you recall being a student? I remember 3rd grade, when Mrs. Fertell said I had the best handwriting in the class. I remember when Mr. Ozoroski suggested that I run for 6th grade class president. I remember Mr. Frost who had us act out scenes from the Civil War. I remember Miss Porter telling me to consider a career in writing. Of course, there were some moments of humiliation and shame -- dropping a tray in the cafeteria or having a pimple on my chin -- both huge events in my perception! But I’d rather remember the good times on the hockey field and my relief at not blowing my line in the school play.
What are your big memories? Do you remember any teachers because they covered all the curriculum or because their slide lectures were well done?
Boy and girl enjoying putting electronics together while teacher watches.
What will students remember about being in YOUR class? Try these things:
Be silly (with students at any age)
Give them chances to interact with each other doing fun things
Encourage them to share their experiences; then believe and honor them
Provide options for how they will learn
Prompt their choice and voice in demonstrating mastery
Share something about yourself and your life (appropriately)
Model admitting when you’re wrong or made a mistake
It all comes down to Maya Angelou’s quote:
Maya Angelou quote
Stay tuned - I have BIG news coming in January!
Watch for my announcement!
Happy Holidays!
Get some rest and make some memories!!
