I have been an athlete all my life. I was a competitive swimmer beyond college, and participated in Master's swimming competitions. About three years ago I embarked on a series of Boot Camp trainings. For three days a week, for an hour and a half, I lifted weights, moved tires, did more situps and pushups than i could count. I know how to push myself beyond what I think my body can do. For the last year I have been training for a half marathon. I could have trained for six months and still have done well, but doing well is not acceptable. I want to do my best. I want to exceed the limit. I was interviewed by a local radion station and I told the interviewer that "all of this training has made me a better teacher. I push my students harder, I push myself harder to be the best teacher I can be. I know that much of winning is mental, and that complacency has no record with success. I also learned that I am only letting myself down if I don't give my workouts 100 percent. It is the same with teaching. I teach poorly, the kids dont do well. And conversely, if they dont push themselves, no amount of my coaching and prodding will make them successful. My marathon is next weekend. I know I can push through to finish in less than 3 hours. The school year ends in 20 days. But I'm not done teaching. I'll start again, reading, planning. working things out for the 2011-2012 school year. Excellence does not allow for rest.
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Julie HerwickI love my job. Teaching is an art and I enjoy learning and growing along with my students. I can't think of any thing else I'd rather do. Archives
August 2014
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