My Favorite Worst Decision

In 2020 I had to escape the pandemic as I was teaching Kindergarten in Shanghai, China. During this time, I accepted a position as a Grade 5 and 6 ELA and Social Studies teacher in Qatar. I spent a year questioning my choices of being a teacher, questioning why I was not cool enough to understand obscure TikTok references and drowning in grading. I very swiftly put in my resignation and moved back to my "home" in  Kindergarten. My favorite worst decision was accepting to teach middle school and finally being able to appreciate the pure and innocent joys of teaching Kindergarten again. 

REFLECTION: WHY WE MAKE BAD DECISIONS

Confirming Evidence Trap: Seeking evidence that supports our existing instinct

One of the influencing factors of my bad decision was the collection of "bias" data. I was basing my decision solely on evidence that I was an ineffective teacher and that the fact that it was taking longer to build relationships with my students was proof enough that I should return to Early Childhood. If I had collected data that was more objective in order to make a decision, I could have considered the following alternatives that may have altered my decision:

1. Older students may take more time than younger students to develop trust and understanding. 

2. That COVID restrictions were causing me to adapt my teaching practice, and it could have been equally as challenging if I stayed in an EC classroom. 

3. That learning a new skill always takes time and practice and that I may have been too hard on myself looking to be immediately proficient at a new skill. 

Ultimately, I realize how easily one can get trapped into making decisions, even unconsciously. It is important to take a step back and analyze data, ask advise and take your time when making any major decisions. 

Trade - Off: Selecting one option that could resulting in benefitting in one way but losing out on another

My decision was solely based on not wanting to be unemployed and to remain a teacher. What I did not fully factor in was that my knowledge and skills were not as easily transferrable as I had anticipated and it could impact my overall confidence in my ability and have me start to question myself. If I had considered the benefits of all perspectives, I could have also seen the value of expanding my skill set and the opportunity to learn now skills that I could possibly adapt for my future classrooms. 

e.g. I was able to explore and learn how to integrate technology into the classroom which I had never been able to do teaching Kindergarten as we are usually trying to minimize their screen time and create more opportunities for sensory and kinistetic learning.