senoracmt

Never be afraid to fail!

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I read a blog post today about the things that innovative educators do. On the list was one of my personal favorites: innovative educators aren’t afraid to fail!

I’m an expert at failing. My principal knows, and expects, disasters in my room! Take horchata day for instance! It was a great idea! No one had ever tried it… But 7 gallons on the floor later, I was reflecting on how this could have gone better!

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Only by taking big risks can you see big changes in your classroom! Never hesitate to try something new, to venture down a different path, to take that proverbial road less traveled by! The more you fail, reflect, and try again, the more HUGE successes you will see.

I’m with Teddy Roosevelt! I would rather dare to do mighty things so that I can experience those glorious triumphs. Because THOSE are the days they remember forever!

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Keep on failing!

Published by senoracmt

I began teaching Spanish in Illinois in 1994. I have taught levels 1-4 in a small rural high school, 8th grade introductory Spanish, Biology 1, and 101 and 102 at the community college level. My Spanish classes are partnered with the community college to offer students 8 semester hours of dual credit on completion of Spanish 4. In 2011 I met Carol Gaab and Kristy Placido and have since co-authored the book "La hija del sastre" with Carol Gaab and authored the novels "La Calaca Alegre", "Bianca Nieves y los 7 toritos." "Vector," "48 horas","Bananas", "Sostenible", and "Papálotl" through Fluency Matters. In 2006 I became National Board certified and I have been serving as a mentor both for candidates seeking certification in world languages other than English and a virtual mentor for candidates in all certificate areas. I completed my Masters degree in Spanish education in 2011 and did my research on the use of Understanding by Design to create meaningful cultural units for the language classroom. I am a frequent presenter on this topic, please consider me if you are interested in a workshop on backward design. In 2013 I was named the ICTFL Foreign Language teacher of the year and in 2014 I was selected as CSCTFL's teacher of the year. In November of 2014 I was lucky enough to be one of the five finalists for the ACTFL National Teacher of the Year in San Antonio, TX. What a "Cinderella" experience! You can reach me via email at carrie at somewheretoshare dot com.

4 comments

  2. One thing saw on the #educon feed was “Mistake of the Year” award–I really wish I knew a way to Institute this that wouldn’t be more embarrassing than uplifting!

    Reply

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