Dear Self,
This year, allow yourself to lose the pointless homework, lose the percents, lose the monologue and for sure, all of the packets. Feel free to lose the dioramas (wow, I hate dioramas), the stilted book reports, math pages that are beside the point and insane expectations for kids that are trying so hard. Lose the F’, the D’s and any other letter that comes to mind, and the averages. Lose the raising of eyebrows over late work, the percent deduction, the phone call home, and the threats of failure if work isn’t turned in. Lose the “my room” and let it be “our room.” Let go of black and white and invite in some gray. Lose the insane motivational posters that just clutter your walls. Let go of a desk for every student, lose the need to organize them as you do your supplies. Lose your inhibitions, your fears, your need for privacy. Lose packaged lessons, and old ideas, or at least the ones that do not work. But never lose your excitement, belief, warmth, or your heart.
Go Ahead; Lose Yourself
This post is inspired by a comment left by Susan, a new teacher, on my post “Do You Dare to Look in the Mirror”
Pernille Ripp 
A very inspiring idea… a letter to yourself! A promise to strive for better. I love this. Remember to lose the guilt, the self-degradation, and the judgement for when things don't quite work out as planned or hoped for, too. 🙂 Taking risks is the best learning. You will be modeling this for your kids. Thanks for sharing and for inspiring.
Wonderful! What a great note to yourself.I need to remember to lose the guilt of never feeling "good enough," to lose what so many others deem as important, to lose my illusion of control, and lose what others might think.Great post. I am putting your blog in my blog roll of favorites. 🙂– @newfirewithin
I love the idea of losing yourself! If we could do this, both the children & us will greatly benefit! I am hoping to lose the insecurity I feel around my colleagues, constant worrying about what went wrong & instead focus on what went well. Also, I hope to lose the need to worry about EVERYONE! I can only control what I do. Good luck & can't wait to hear how it goes!