The Southwest Voice

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Reflecting on summer stories, sharing new ideas, and contemplating the possible successes that lie ahead are all part of a brand new school year. For teachers, summer is a time to rest, but it is also a time to research trends in education and consider how those trends can improve teaching in the classroom.

As with any job, there is always room for improvement. Education is the prime example in which new ways of thinking are a constant goal. Working with state content standards has sent education in a positive direction. With such a strong road map guiding curriculum, teachers can focus on choosing techniques that will best address what is being taught on a daily basis.

For me, the beginning of a new school year is fun because the room for possibilities is endless. Working with my peers on projects over the summer and questioning what worked and what did not work during prior years makes us all better teachers. Collaboration is a major key to success in the world of education. By challenging ideas and trying new things, we keep the curriculum exciting for us — which definitely impacts our students in a wonderful way.

Teaching is technically a nine-month position. But for many teachers all over, teaching is like any other job. There are breaks, but in those breaks we don’t completely stop working. Enjoying what we do drives us and always keeps us asking the same question: How can we better ourselves and our curriculum? With that said, let the year begin!

— Amy Luther is a frequent contributor to The Southwest Voice and a teacher at Warren Junior High in the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District.