Julia Watson

I became a teacher because I wanted to do something I enjoyed, but also something that mattered. My path was certainly not a straight one- I vowed that I would never get into education because I 'didn't like kids', however, I have come to realize that was actually an excuse. I was afraid of the responsibility of shaping minds, afraid of doing/saying the wrong thing- in the end, that doesn't matter. Making mistakes, having a lesson fail, is a learning experience!

When I first started at my current school, I was thrown into complete chaos. It was the middle of the year, the kids had no structure and I was left to pick up the pieces. It was tough- I was figuring things out, the students suddenly had consequences, and honestly, it was a mess. Yet, after those students graduated, a number of them told me that despite the chaos, they realized how much they learned and that consequences aren't always "bad" just necessary. That honestly warmed my heart!!

I would deck out my classroom (even more so than it is now). I love when my kids tell me that my classroom is the coolest or that they love spending time in it. It's comments like that, that show me how I present myself and our space means just as much as the content I am teaching. I want them to have the best, especially since some of the kids in my district don't have much to go home to... Plus, I would give myself a much needed real holiday- maybe outside of my town!