In the month of March I joined teachers from around the world for the Slice of Life month long reflective writing challenge from Two Writing Teachers. I took the time to gather my jumbled ideas into one coherent blog post per day. As a teacher of writing across the disciplines I hoped that this daily reflection would remind me what it is to be a writer as well as allow me to experiment with my own writing in order to find my own voice, and better yet be an asset to my students writing lives. I took this writing challenge to give me the opportunity to live an authentic writing life. To give myself the time to reflect, muse, vent, plan, and create. Often as teachers we are so busy with the everyday mundane tasks that we don't give space to things that will make us better teachers, colleagues, friends, human beings. I hoped that in my muddled mind I could find some clarity. Clarity in my practice as a teacher, as a learner, as a writer and as a passionate lover of life.
Wow, what an experience. Some of my impressions were that I am a procrastinator, 90% of my posts were posted just before going to bed. Likewise, I mainly wrote in a reflective journal format with ideas ranging from classroom experiences, having a student teacher, the arts, and being in a reading rut. I did write a few poems but did not really go outside of my comfort zone as a writer to write any fiction. My biggest takeaway from this experience will be to include my students in the process for next year's student challenge. I am also going to continue to blog with this group weekly on Tuesdays. Likewise, I am going to continue to give my students ample opportunity to develop themselves as authentic writers.
Tasha Roa-Yaremkowycz is a grade 3 & 4 teacher at University Elementary, an outdoor enthusiast and passionate change maker. You can follow me @tasharoa on twitter and follow my new to me weekly blog http://tasharoa.weebly.com/