Friday

Blog Name Change!

You may be saying to yourself, "Something is different here..." and you're right.  After months of wanting to do it, I finally took the plunge.

Your Home School Connection has a new name, and it's Shut the Door and Teach!

I was scared to start over; I didn't want to confuse readers/Pinners/Google Search Engine.  But Google was confused anyway because my previous blog name wasn't giving off a "Tips for Fourth Grade Teachers" vibe.  Well, no more.  I finally got inspiration for a new name that I think I will be happy with for a long time to come.

So, why shut the door and teach? 

It's NOT because I don't want to share ideas with other teachers.  Otherwise I wouldn't be an blogger in the field of education.

It's NOT because I like to keep out my principal or colleagues.  I love my school and coworkers, and I welcome visitors (parents, teachers, esteemed members of the community) who want to come see what we're doing.

Shut the Door and Teach!No, Shut the Door and Teach is my mantra when all the background noise gets me overwhelmed.  Deadlines, new curriculum, scheduling conflicts, new evaluation systems, and so on.  And yet, when I put all that aside, and just focus on the kids, when I just put all my energy and know how into making them excited about the content they are learning, into patiently working with those kids who need extra, and raising the level of discussion, thinking, and writing to the point where I'm amazed with the insight that a nine year old is capable of, I remember what my job is really about.  And that makes me truly happy.

All that other stuff is important, but it's because it's supposed to help us to help the kids.  So on days when all the background stuff is bogging me down instead of empowering me, I have to remind myself to take a step back and say to myself, "I'm here for the kids, first and foremost."

That's why sometimes "you've just got to shut the door and teach!"

P.S.  I have another exciting announcement to make.  Not only will I be continuing to blog here with a new name that's more "me," I have been invited to join a brand new blog dedicated to teaching grades 3 to 6 with an AMAZING team of teacher-bloggers!  I am so excited to have this opportunity because I know I'll be able to reach even more teachers and be involved in the creation of a daily resource for teachers who love to see great teaching in action and bring those ideas into their own classrooms.  If you work with these grade levels, stop by All Things Upper Elementary
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6 comments :

  1. Love the Mantra! I'm all for just take it as it comes ad push right through and do what you do best!

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  2. Absolutely. No regrets on the name change!

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  3. Hi, Love the name of your blog. I am a new follower and have nominated you for the Leibster Award. Please head on over to my blog to see what you need to do if you are interested. - http://acrossthepondclassroomfollies.blogspot.fr/

    Best

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tama! I'll go check out your blog now. :)

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  4. Love the new name:) Found you through the new "All things..." blog. Following you now!

    Brandi
    My Teacher Friend

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brandi! I can't wait for my turn to start posting over there too. :)

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