Apparently the ol’ American Crawl has been noted as a blog written by a new teacher in the info box of this article. Don’t know how that happened, but hey, there you go. I’m probably the most famous person I know and realized I don’t gloat often enough on this blog.

Secondly (though, strangely, there was no “first of all” … ), since when were “teachers or former teachers with fewer than 10 years of experience leading a classroom” considered “new”? Frankly, I’m often the youngest person in the room at faculty meetings, School Site Council, and other gatherings. However, based on seniority at my school, I’m nearly a veteran. The teachers that have had the biggest influences on me, mentoring and guiding my practice have all been in the classroom for less than 10 years as well.

Really though, I mean no disrespect here (and even the “most famous person I know” comment was in sarcastic jest). I don’t mean to belittle the one publication that bothered to link to me (though really, I’m #4? C’mon, I could take #2 or #3, right??). I just wonder what we mean when we say “new” and “veteran.” Am I still developing my practice? Of course. But, I’d only imagine all sincere educators would feel the same – where they have four or forty years of teaching experience.