Sometimes my ambitions and my drive are at odds. On the one, I can envision the possibilities of a plethora of projects, many of which I cut and prep to sew. On the other hand, motivation to sew the projects can elude me when I reach the stage of interfacing or ironing. Maintaining momentum for projects can be a challenge, but this is when my fickleness becomes an asset: I move onto another project that will inspire me; then, I return to the abandoned projects with greater zest to finish.
This summer’s vision entailed sewing slings for both the July market and the store, learning Sashiko embroidery for quilting, and a couple of professional projects, namely refining my AP Language units and drafting my AP African American Studies lessons. So far, I still have to interface all but too slings, I’ve started quilt tops, I drafted three African American Studies lessons but revised none of the AP Language units. I’m a quarter of the way through my summer break, my AP Summer Institute class starts next week, and the NYPL residency follows the week after. I’ll have just two weekends to sew and two weeks to plan.
Realistically, I can finish a few quilts and interface the slings. Practically, I should use the two weeks for planning. But, what I actually do depends on my level of motivation. I hope I can accomplish both. Having interfaced projects that are ready to sew and planning all my lessons would be the best case scenario, setting me up for a well balanced school year that’s not all work.
On a professional note, I do hope I can have lesson plans ready to go so that I can concentrate on culture building and project based teaching: I hope to instill in my students a level of professionalism wherein they dress for success when the occasion arises, like for presentations, and I want to introduce the project for African American Studies gradually and not at the very end. Ì can see myself overlooking opportunities to address these initiatives if I’m focused on planning.
I’m not a fly by the seat of my pants type of teacher; planning from day to day rattles me. I must have my lessons drafted at least a week in advance. That said, my primary goal after my class and residency will be to plan. Once fully planned, I can focus on sewing. Of course, I will punctuate planning with a sewing fix here and there, especially when I reach a crossroad and need some inspiration or motivation.
Eduspiration 