I’ve found that while I often have several thoughts swirling in my head that would be blog-worthy, I don’t have nearly as much time as I’d like to have in order to blog them. Such is the nature of the beast that I call life.

Work is challenging and rewarding. Challenging in the sense that I’m always aware of the fact that I miss the mark every day, but rewarding because students and coworkers are encouraging and forgiving. I also still endure some of the challenges I faced last year as a new teacher- struggling to find my place and my voice in the school environment and just trying to stay ahead of the curve in terms of teaching a subject I’ve never taught before. Add coaching to that, along with being in school myself…and it ends up being quite a full plate.

Despite this, I find joy in students and their questions, I love being swarmed by the too cool 8th grade girls for hugs before the weekend, and from my mother who provides great wisdom not only as my parent, but as the parent of a teenager.

When I say that I’m trying to maintain, what I really mean is that I’m trying to balance being “Erin” and also being “Ms. Davis”. Last year I learned that I didn’t have to choose- I could indeed be myself and do all of the things that I love and enjoy without giving up my role as a teacher. This year, I’m trying to balance it all out.

I am excited because I see growth in myself, and I honestly feel like I’m moving in the right direction. While there are many, many trying days; there’s much joy and happiness in each of them as well. Overall, I’m grateful to be in a profession that provides me with the opportunity to do what I love and live my dreams. God is good.

“When my faith is challenged and my vision is obscure; when I’m hanging on by a thread and my footing’s unsure; I hear in the spirit one word to help me endure- ORDERED.” ~Fred Hammond