Apologies for my two-week absence, but personal matters took precedence, prompting me to explore the theme of this blog entry: transitioning from incessantly wearing my teacher hat to realizing that I also have a Mark one that I can and should wear more often.
This journey aligns with domain 4e—growing and developing professionally.
When I began teaching as a single individual, I recall staying at school until 6:00 at my desk in the back grading papers, going through the drive-thru on the way home as the sun was going down and indulging in McDonald’s, and falling asleep on the couch—only to repeat the cycle the next day. Despite prompt essay returns, I wasn't content; I gained weight, and the classroom jokes about teachers living in closets or being a surprise in public seemed to define me.
I subscribed to that narrative for years, forgetting I was Mark; I was Mr. Curcio 24/7. This is a common sentiment amongst educators; that their career is their life, spending money on school supplies instead of their own personal needs and wants, spending hours at home planning lessons instead of planning their own futures, and stressing over issues that are out of their control instead of keeping their own affairs in order.
It wasn’t until marriage in 2018, my daughter being born in 2019, and Covid in 2020 that I realized this wasn’t leading me anywhere. Over that span of 3-4 years, family has taken precedence and I haven’t looked back. I love teaching students and coaching athletes, but by 3:00, I can't wait to pick up my daughter from Pre-K. Asking her what she learned in school that day is way more important to me than what I am going to be teaching tomorrow.
I used to never use personal days, even though they reserved for family trips and personal reasons. Last week, my family and I enjoyed Disney World, and today, on mine and my wife’s 5-year wedding anniversary, after teaching six periods of ELA, I eagerly anticipate going home to spend time with her.
Since 2010, I’ve grown professionally by taking care of myself and my needs. It’s the same as parenting in a way; in order for my daughter to receive the version of me, I need to take care of myself.
In the past, I thought I was doing students a disservice by not being there every day. Now, I believe my students will receive 100% of Mr. Curcio when I am there, but when I get home, I'm Mark, I'm daddy, I'm me.
This journey aligns with domain 4e—growing and developing professionally.
When I began teaching as a single individual, I recall staying at school until 6:00 at my desk in the back grading papers, going through the drive-thru on the way home as the sun was going down and indulging in McDonald’s, and falling asleep on the couch—only to repeat the cycle the next day. Despite prompt essay returns, I wasn't content; I gained weight, and the classroom jokes about teachers living in closets or being a surprise in public seemed to define me.
I subscribed to that narrative for years, forgetting I was Mark; I was Mr. Curcio 24/7. This is a common sentiment amongst educators; that their career is their life, spending money on school supplies instead of their own personal needs and wants, spending hours at home planning lessons instead of planning their own futures, and stressing over issues that are out of their control instead of keeping their own affairs in order.
It wasn’t until marriage in 2018, my daughter being born in 2019, and Covid in 2020 that I realized this wasn’t leading me anywhere. Over that span of 3-4 years, family has taken precedence and I haven’t looked back. I love teaching students and coaching athletes, but by 3:00, I can't wait to pick up my daughter from Pre-K. Asking her what she learned in school that day is way more important to me than what I am going to be teaching tomorrow.
I used to never use personal days, even though they reserved for family trips and personal reasons. Last week, my family and I enjoyed Disney World, and today, on mine and my wife’s 5-year wedding anniversary, after teaching six periods of ELA, I eagerly anticipate going home to spend time with her.
Since 2010, I’ve grown professionally by taking care of myself and my needs. It’s the same as parenting in a way; in order for my daughter to receive the version of me, I need to take care of myself.
In the past, I thought I was doing students a disservice by not being there every day. Now, I believe my students will receive 100% of Mr. Curcio when I am there, but when I get home, I'm Mark, I'm daddy, I'm me.