Notes From the Middle: A Love Letter to Chaos, Caffeine & Curriculum

It’s messy. It’s magical. Here’s why I’m writing from the Middle of it all.

All little kids dream of what they’ll be when they grow up. It’s just a part of it, right? Princess. Fireman. Rock star. Football player. Ballerina. Lawyer. Teacher.

Not all kids KNOW what they will become when they’re little. I did. I’ve always known. Teacher. I wanted to be a teacher. I mean…truth be told: I wanted to write on the chalkboard like my first grade teacher, Mrs. Krakovick. The way the chalk slid down the board with her PERFECT primary school handwriting. …or the way my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Knighton, slipped the paperclip off of the papers she was getting ready to hand out…and the slight “schnnick” sound that accompanied it. It was ASMR before that was even a thing. *swoon* That’s where it all started—and in a way, it’s where this blog begins, too.

In hindsight, I can’t believe I ever thought I couldn’t possibly have ADHD. The signs have always been there. And honestly? That’s something else you should probably know about me. I’m a late-diagnosed (40+) ADHD brain. It’s completely reframed how I understand myself—as a woman, wife, mom, and teacher. (And it accounts for the tangents and side quests that I’ll inevitably take you on, too.)

I digress, but honestly, my ADHD is such an integral part of who I am. Do I fight against the obstacles it creates for me when it comes to executive dysfunction? Yes. But does it also account for so much of my creativity, drive, and determination? Absolutely it does! And I think it’s helped make me the teacher I am today – and I’m not just talking about the fact that a clean desk at 8:45 can become overrun and buried in a matter of minutes…or the time I lost the activity I was going to pass out to my 8th graders in the time it took me to go from my desk at the back of the room to the front of the room. (I did, eventually, find them.) It’s helped me to not be afraid to try new things -even if it fails, to see kids for who they are and where they are – even when it’s hard, and to constantly be striving to grow as a teacher and curriculum designer.

Here’s what I believe:

• There isn’t anything I can’t accomplish with a little bit of Dr. Pepper and a whole lotta Jesus.
• Students should get a fresh start every day – because heaven knows I need it, too!
• Sometimes effort and intent matters more than being right.
• Complacency is the enemy of passion and innovation.
• Books hold up mirrors that validate our existence and windows that nurture empathy.
• Sometimes it’s not what’s being said that’s important; it’s what isn’t being said.
• Growth is always the goal, and the only way to get there is to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

So pull up a chair here in the Middle – where, we’re messy, magical, and made for growth! Class is in session!