Begin Again ...

If you have not seen Carney's 2013 movie "Begin Again", the main character Gretta (played by Keira Knightly) goes on a crusade to develop her own album after her long-time boyfriend becomes famous seemingly overnight and drifts from her to the calls of stardom. This movie - the choice for a recent much-needed-girls only-cottage-get-away resulted in quite the debate between friends. The movie sets itself up as a love triangle and as it nears its end viewers are left wondering not only if Gretta's album will be signed, but also who she will choose: the cheating (now) famous ex or her doting older producer? What sets this movie apart is that Gretta chooses Gretta. She decides to sell her album independently on iTunes rather than succumb to the record label's changes to her music and chooses neither man. Many of my friends loathed this ending - while I and a few others loved it.

There are many vital roles in education and having the opportunity to see the other side for the last six years has been a tremendous learning experience. Making the choice to return to the classroom was hardly easy. For the longest time I felt as though I could not abandon the teachers, research partners and projects that had become the focus of my work for so long. Ultimately my decision was a personal one - and the only way I can think to explain it is that for some time it had felt like I was trapped on the wrong side of the looking glass - and it was time to make a change. The movie clip below from Alice Through the Looking Glass explains this analogy for my readers who may not recall vivid images of Lewis Carol's work at the drop of a hat. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7dxhbHAGRE)

Those who know me well are shocked when they learn that I am now teaching Kindergarten. This reaction is usually because they know I have never taught below Grade 7, or that they feel I am not putting all my valuable learning to good use. I will admit that if you asked me twelve, six or even one year ago I likely would have said that I would never teach Kindergarten. But I have come to believe that to truly "begin again" you need a fresh challenge.  I intend to use this blog as a space to reflect on this decision and share my learning as I venture through the year.

Over the past six months I have realized that good friends help you see yourself  in a positive way - the perfect reflection.  But great friends challenge that image and push you to recognize all that is not right in the looking glass. Thanks to all those good and great friends who have supported me as I begin again ...