Fishing

"A bad day fishing beats a good day of work." 

Greetings,

Summer is a time to recharge our batteries as educators, but sometimes vacations seem more like work. While that is true in some regards, but summer is not officially summer until I feel the sand of the beach under my toes and cast a line early in the morning. Now that I have officially completed both tasks, I can now look to the school year with an open mind and heart. 

Having two young kids, a morning of fishing is hard to come by. However, this morning I was able to escape for an hour and a half. As I was casting a line, I thought of the similarities that fishing and teaching have. 

1. As a self-proclaimed fisherman, I know that fishing a familiar spot adds a since of comfort. But, as I realized that my time was almost up and I was without a fish I reflected. Just because I knew the lake and what lures worked did not equate instant success. Just like in teaching, we may have taught the same subject for many years and have a familiar level of comfort. However, we may miss fish and students if we keep using the same tackle and tools with no adjustments. 
2. Sometimes casting is as good as it gets. As I was working the banks with no success, I grew impatient. Then I remembered, that just to be out here on a beautiful morning casting, felt good. In teaching, we get bogged down in the grind of the job. But, we must realize just because we are not catching fish, does not mean we are not successful. In the classroom, we may feel like we have no impact, but what we cant see is the way students are outside the school. We may impact a child and never see it. Just like in fishing, I may cast all morning and come up empty, but I cant see, "the All Most Bites" and the "Record Breaking Fish". 
3. Its never too late. As I was nearing my curfew, I thought I was cursed or forgot how to fish or something. Then I made the decision to cast one more time and I was rewarded with a picture worthy fish. This fish was not the biggest fish ever, but it was something to keep my faith alive. In the classroom, we may encounter a student that we may not understand all year, but one 5 minute conversation about something of common interest may turn their day, year, or life around. A moment like that keeps your faith alive. 
4. The idea of fishing in itself is similar to the classroom. Choosing different lures for different fish. Good teachers do the same thing in the classroom as well. This is that "Growth Mindset" idea that we are always studying the environment in order to be successful. This is the same thing fishermen do, they study the tides, sun rise, water clarity, fish diets, water temps, etc. 

In conclusion,

"A Bad Day of Teaching Beats, a Great Day of Mundane Work." So, go out and be inspired this year. Remember the art of casting, patience of the catch, and its never too late to sink a line.