Mistakes are where the magic happens...

by Amy Ferguson

Hi Teeeach tribe,

I have attempted to write this first blog post a few times now. I find myself continually hitting a creative wall, unable to fully articulate how I’m feeling. I want to best serve this amazing teaching community, but I know I will make many mistakes along the way. That makes me apprehensive. However… mistakes are where the magic happens.

I make a point of saying this phrase to my students as much as I can. I hope that it will settle on their heads like fresh fluffs of snow. I hope that it will bring them warmth and fuel the fire of their potential.

I can still remember my first mistake at school. I was in primary 1, so between 4 and 5 years old. The teacher presented us all with a workbook which was to become our source of learning for the entire year. I loved that workbook. The front cover had penguins on it. Within those pages, there were infinite possibilities for learning. It was designed to inspire, mold, and teach, and I was excited to learn.

One of the tasks we were assigned was to draw spots on a dalmatian. In my hasty excitement, I neglected to read the instructions and my dotty dalmatian turned into a beaming black labrador. Needless to say, my teacher’s reaction wasn’t a positive one.

I formed an emotional attachment to this memory. I decided that mistakes were wrong and that I should limit any I make from that moment on. I became meticulous, attentive and afraid to fail.

For such a long time I lived with the idea that mistakes were bad and I attempted to avoid them at all costs. I stood on the fringes of life, afraid to dip a toe in the water just in case I slipped and fell.

Every time I look at a class, I see that 5 year old girl. She made mistakes and still does. It’s ok not to have all of the answers and to make a few mistakes along the way. As long as we learn from them and are kind to ourselves in the process.

I will make many mistakes on this new, scary and exciting adventure. I want to serve the teaching community, but I don’t have all the answers. However, I will do whatever it takes to create a community where every teacher feels seen and heard. Where every teacher has a voice and a safe space to make mistakes.

After all, mistakes are where the magic happens.