Macungie, Pennsylvania is home, and ONE WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT is a blog by Catherine Gehman, educator. Her posts are designed to energize and inspire teachers in all stages of their career by simply giving - giving ideas that work for her, and by bringing attention to past and current expert voices in education.

Sometimes We Wait to Say Why We Really Called

Sometimes We Wait to Say Why We Really Called

I phoned a friend this morning simply to ask about dates, a book, and get an update on her most recent project.  I left a message because she didn’t pick up. Later in the morning I was glad to see my phone light up and her name illuminate on my screen.  We couldn’t talk long because I had to pick up my class from art class, but at least we talked through the reasons I called.

A moment before we ended our conversation, I threw one more in.  I admitted to her that I’m pretty overwhelmed with standardized tests looming and I’m just struggling to know if I should follow the curriculum....

She didn’t skip a beat and she reminded me that while she knows I’m teaching a pretty solid curriculum, she advised me of what I already know to be true. That is, there are still gaps and I need to make the hard but intelligent curricular decisions this calls for. She also reminded me that I’m competent and experienced. But it was what she said next -- two powerful words -- that I needed most.

“Trust yourself.”  

I paused and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Okay. I needed to hear that.” I said gratefully.  

We finished our conversation, but even hours later her words are lingering and I’m ending my week tired but hopeful because I know she’s right.  

Funny how I waited for the end of our conversation to tell her the real reason I called.


Breathe In... Breathe Out...

Breathe In... Breathe Out...

Finding the Courage to Tell a Painful Story by Experimenting with Leads

Finding the Courage to Tell a Painful Story by Experimenting with Leads