My projector hasn’t worked well since I inherited this classroom. The irony of being ‘cutting edge’ with technology is that by the time the rest of a district gets the installation of the latest and greatest, the first-served’s technology is dated and tired. I’m not complaining, though; it’s just an observation. I have put in no less than five requests with our IT department. Earnest, young, geeky men (yes, it’s usually men), come into the room, look it over, observe the purple glow emanating on my screen, (my students think I design pink SmartNotebook lessons–!), and tell me it’s not working.

Yes, I know. (Did I wear my “I’m with Luddite” T-shirt today?)

The last young man to survey the issue (I think it needs to be replaced, but in lieu of that, at least a new bulb and some fresh cables), was rendered helpless by the sheer volume of STUFF I have. It may as well been a 30′ bramble wall, waiting to slice the young hero with its prickly thorns and cleaving vines. The sleeping beauty of wall plugs and jacks lay just beyond his reach over the thick curriculum notebooks, writing instructional materials, professional journals and books, and assessment booklets.

I am not a hoarder. I have no issues with trashing/recycling. Re-using, not so much. But having had to create curriculum from scratch, it occurred to me how loathe I am to chuck it. I have a file cabinet full, baskets, buckets, portable file cases, drawers – every storage space is used. What will I really be giving up if it just goes away? Am I afraid to lose my touch, my hold, with my own professional development, knowledge, and accomplishments?

Well, time to get up, get it clean, throw it out, and recycle what I can. Give myself permission to teach a lesson twice, three times, etc.; I guess the key is in the reflection and flexibility with students. I have never had the same entrenched year – and I don’t see that ever happening.

Bored? No. Inundated? Yes.