So I skipped ahead… a lot… in Hamilton the Musical. In all fairness, I never said this would be in any kind of order, right?

Every time I hear the final song, I get a little choked up.  Hearing Eliza share her final 50 years and all she did to tell Hamilton’s story shows her true devotion to the man she loved (despite some, errr, indecencies on his part). Check out the song here, or watch the embedded lyrics video below.

Who Tells Your Story?

In an effort to be more memorable this year, I decided to try out a theme in the media center. I’ve never done this before, so we’ll see how it goes.

Our theme is Who Tells Your Story?

Hey Mustangs of @MMSMustangs14 – I’m ready! 2019-2020 is going to be epic! #wearemmms #HamiltonEDU #EduEyeExam #tlap #LeadLAP #BackToSchool2019 pic.twitter.com/gqpiUsBHYh

— Alicia Ray (@iluveducating) July 31, 2019

The plan is to weave this theme in through digital footprint, cyberbullying, digital citizenship, and encouraging a love of literature. In our first meeting, students will tell me their story, beginning with their past and present. During our digital footprint experiences, we will discuss how their choices online can follow them in their future story. We’ll also be analyzing text in relation to how the author tells the story of the many characters they will meet in books this year.

Let me tell you what I wish I’d known…

If you consider yourself to be a beginning teacher, consider this a little public service announcement. While I have nothing against websites like Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers, these sites can only do so much in helping you with class pedagogy and your own educational beliefs. If you want to really be great, talk to veteran teachers. Find out what they wish they’d known. Use our mistakes to prevent many of your own. If you have one little sugarplum that you aren’t quite sure how to reach, chat up the veteran educator down the hall. Chances are, they’ve had several little sugarplums just like that in their class and their bag of tricks is more expansive & real than anything you can find on a website. Veteran educators (including myself here), we’ve got to be willing to be vulnerable and share our successes and setbacks with our fellow educators. Let’s join together to make education amazing.

Who remembers your name? Who keeps your flame?

In my amazing PLN, I see several educators who have retired or have left the classroom for consulting jobs, administrative roles, coaching positions, etc. (I also see lots who are going back into classrooms for the first time in years & I can’t wait to follow those journeys!) Earlier today I saw a student that I taught when he was in fifth grade… Eight. years. ago. He glanced at me across the restaurant and when we locked eyes, he waved. It made my heart so happy that he remembered me. We exchanged hugs as we were leaving and he shared his plans for college this year. (He’s going to be a veterinarian; I’m so proud!) Seeing former students and hearing their success stories keeps my flame for education burning bright!

What legacy will you be leaving with the students you serve this year? How will they remember you? How will they tell your story?

What other lessons in education and life do you see in the lyrics of “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?” from Hamilton the Musical? Comment below or reply on Twitter! I love seeing the different perspectives on some of my favorite Hamilton songs! Stay tuned for more Education According to Hamilton! Which song should we do next?