Teaching and Flying

In my mind, being a great educator is a lot like being a skilled commercial airplane pilot. We both go to school to learn how to fly our airplanes (make our students soar). We both have to continually study and learn advances in the art of flying (educational pedagogy.. and state mandated changes). A good pilot constantly monitors data (data), and makes sure their passengers (students) are safely on their way to their intended destination (success). Also, like piloting, education is hard; really hard, and important; really important. I mean lives are at stake here people! 

I actually believe that being an educator is one of the most hard jobs on the planet. We constantly must learn new things, never reaching the pentacle of knowledge or skill in our area. This blog is not intended to be a display of a person that "knows it all". I am simply sharing my classroom, while I learn and grow alongside everyone else in the field of education! 

My name is Lauren Tate, and I am a third grade teacher at a low income elementary school in rural Tennessee. Most of my experience comes from teaching special education for five years, and most of what I know comes from working with highly skilled teachers in an inclusion setting for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. My principal called me about a month ago and asked if I would be interested in transitioning to a general education third grade position after Christmas. I am excited to take on this new task, and most of my blog posts will be centered around sharing this new learning experience with you! 

Below is a picture of my family! I am married to the most amazing man on the planet, Tyler. We have a one year old baby boy named Ty! 

Question (Foreshadowing): Do pencils still disappear in a classroom with no desks to stash them in? (My next post will explain more! Stay tuned!) 

Follow me on Twitter: @MrsLaurenTate

Follow me on Instagram: @MrsLaurenTate