Like Riding a Bike…Right?

I always thought “It’s like riding a bike” was a lame statement. Growing up I loved riding bikes, I lived in a neighborhood that had HUGE hills and it amazes me I could peddle up them as a 4 feet, 50 pound, 9 year old.  We would even take our pink Huffys in to the woods, up the mountains, and to the old abandoned water tower. We when I think about riding bikes, this is what I think about doing.

There is NO way I could do any of that now. It would take me a year of constant training to get back to that. So when someone says “It’s like riding a bike” they are leaving something major out. While you may still be able to keep your balance, you aren’t going to have the endurance or even the love you had before.

Last week, I went back to work/school. I had been off 9 weeks so I was pretty nervous about going back. I had 3 or 4 people tell me “It’s like riding a bike, you’ll do fine!” So I walked into my classroom trying to catch that balance of before. I did still have the balance. I was able to go through the motions, catch up with the kids, find out where they were curriculum-wise and start from there. Balance was there.

Endurance and love were not as easy. It was hard adjusting to not having my days to focus on what I wanted to. It was hard being around people for hours at a time. I was used to my drama free little bubble for 8 to 10 hours a day. It was a rough personal adjustment. Professionally, I had to adjust. Even though I was home I was working, just a different “work.” I was working on Edcamp Bham stuff (the week after surgery I had 72 emails on just edcamp, I don’t even remember answering/reading), I was trying out products for companies (I fell in love with a science probe lol), looking at websites and giving feedback, attending conference calls about products, reading blog post & books (A LOT OF THEM!).  So my days weren’t wasted, just different. Being in a classroom with 150 kids throughout the day and writing lesson plans that I actually have to find the energy and time to do was a huge change. Plus the kids had to get used to me getting back as well!

I have learned (or was reminded of) a lot through this journey. I was reminded that teaching is fun. I have a fun job! I enjoy the energy of schools and what kids bring with them and how annoying that energy can be when not used for good. I was reminded how hard teachers work. It is a non-stop job! I am tired at the end of the day. Unfortunately, I was reminded that even though I enjoy my job, I know being in the classroom is not final calling in life. I am more than sure I am ready to move on to the next step in my career and I’m pretty bummed I am not given that opportunity. But I have to put that in the back of my mind for now and focus solely on the kids who are part of my life now. I cannot believe there are only 19 more days of this year left! It is time to wrap it up. I hope my students this year learned more skills than basic science. That was my number one goal.

Then it all starts again next year with new kiddos. It’ll be simple, because it’s like riding a bike…right?