The countdown to winter break is almost over, with a much needed break for the students and teachers alike. I’m looking forward to having time to visit family and friends, ski, read for pleasure, and rejuvenate. I feel like I’ve been going non-stop since August and will appreciate the quick breath to refocus before the remainder of the year.

One of the best things about the Denver Teacher Residency is the balance between practical experience, coursework, and reflection. With the myriad demands of the first year of teaching, I’ve been heavily focused on the practical experience side of things. From building classroom culture, analyzing student data, and selecting curriculum to address my students’ various needs, it is definitely hands-on experience! While constant reflection is a habit of mine, I think that a break from it all will allow me to regain the balance of work and reflection instilled through DTR. I am excited about the opportunity to reread some of the books from my courses, look through old notes, and apply it to my current classroom.

I believe that one of my strongest assets as a teacher is my focus on a student-centered education. I am grateful that DTR prepared us to use reflection and professional best-practices to address what is truly best for my students.