Follow Me
  Janine Campbell
  • Home
  • Blended Learning
  • Assessment
  • Thematic Units
  • Lights, Camera, Learning
  • Technology in Art Education
  • Get Your Grant On
  • Art Integration
  • Publications

Best Year Ever

12/31/2014

2 Comments

 
About two or three years ago, maybe it was when I hit my 30s, I realized something really important that has changed the way I view the passing of time. Every year is the best one ever. 

Too often I will hear people around me reminisce about the "good ol' days" of yesteryear. I have been guilty in getting caught up in that, too. I think back to when I was younger, thinner, had more of this supply or that resource. But the thing is that even at that time, I would or could have thought of a better moment earlier in time to be all nostalgic over. The truth is the good ol' days are now. When you get caught up in thinking about what you may have lost or what has passed you by, you miss out on how great things can be in this moment. It is almost the reverse philosophy of the main character in Office Space, who hates his job and explains how every day is the worst day ever. It took me about 30 years of living to figure it out, but now that I do I try to apply that frame of mind to whatever I am doing (whether it is hiking a new trail or trying a new teaching method in my classroom). I cannot promise I will not look through my old scrapbooks and think fondly of the past (because I do that all of the time); I just try and put it into perspective, understanding that right now is pretty dang amazing, too.

In order to make every year the best year ever, here are some key things I try to consider. 1. Green-eyed trolls get you no where. 2. The more lines in the pond, the better chance you have to catch something, 3. Intent is everything. 

2014 was amazing. I hiked in Tennessee, Alaska, and around Michigan with my loving husband; I presented in Michigan to Art and general education teachers at five different events and traveled to San Diego to present to Art teachers at the National level; I had students win local, State, and National competitions and brought in over $2500 in extra funding for my classroom; I was named a PBS Digital Innovator and MAEA Middle Level Educator of the Year. I enjoyed countless snuggles with my kitties on the couch. It was a banner year. 

But I think 2015 is going to be even better. 
2 Comments
Colleen Rose link
1/1/2015 08:20:48 pm

Janine, I'm so happy that I clicked on the link to this post this morning, and grateful to have read this at the beginning of a new year. So much of what we do depends on our attitude, and your ideas will help spread a little sunshine to those who need a bit of a boost. *I may have to share this post once or twice... :)

Reply
Janine
1/3/2015 12:20:43 am

Thank you for the comment. I wish you a happy and healthy New Year, filled with creative adventures for both you and your students! I look forward to seeing and reading about them along with you!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Janine Campbell

    Visual Arts Teacher at Byron Center West Middle School. Check out their classroom blog.

    Archives

    August 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All
    Assessment
    Awards
    Blog
    Chicago
    Choice
    Classroom
    Conference
    Connections
    Display
    Drawing
    Ecet2
    Education
    Exhibit
    Flint Institute Of Arts
    Fraggle Rock
    Grades
    Home
    Inspiration
    Keynote
    Labels
    Learning
    Macul
    #macul16
    MAEA
    Materials
    Moodle
    Movies
    NAEA
    #NAEA15
    #NAEA16
    Paris
    PBS LearningMedia
    Reflection
    Sub Plans
    Teaching
    Technology
    Travel
    Turtleman
    Twitter
    WGVU

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.