Oh my gosh. The phrase TGIF has rarely meant so much as it has today to me. At the same time, Freshman start Tuesday and I feel like I am no where near ready. I cannot even believe the craziness of this week. On one hand, I look around my classroom [I still can't help but let out a gleeful giggle at the sound of "my classroom"] and I can see the changes I have made. I have all cork boards decked out in the school colors. I have books that are semi-organized. I have trays of things and jars of things. I have a few things on the wall (more decorations to come). The flip side though is that I also see all of the things yet to be done. There is still the matter of all of the blank space on my walls and my desk. Not to mention the small task of planning.
One of the hardest things I struggle with is the planning. Like many teachers, I want my classes to be both challenging and fun. Common Core being what it is, I am lucky enough to have a decent amount of flexibility with regards to my curriculum. As a new teacher, that is both crazy exciting and nerve wracking. I have to make sure I am having fun, but also preparing my students to have the skills they will need to be successful for the rest of their high school experience and post high school (whether that be in college or career or both). Thus, it is curriculum that is one of a few stress-inducers at this point.
This anxiety brings me to the point of today's post. I cannot believe how incredibly lucky I have been. While many of my cohort mates had one or both of their cooperating teachers be less than stellar during their student teaching, mine were both amazing. I was able to have two cooperating teachers who had 20+ years of experience under their belts and were not only incredible people but absolutely talented teachers. I learned so much working with both of them, one of whom I have been able to stay in contact with. She has been a phenomenal resource (and in a fun twist I am teaching many of the same subjects she teaches this year). When we spoke about me getting a "real" teaching job, I asked her who I would go to with questions. She said that in every building I am in, I should try to find at least one person who is more experienced than me who I can talk to. They do not have to be in your content area, just someone who you can bounce ideas off of and talk to. I don't know about anyone else, but that still sounded hard. In theory, that seemed really logical: of course someone new should have an experienced mentor. However, I am someone who doesn't find it easy to be social or make friends. So, I was super scared coming into this job.
Day one of my new job, I came in late because I got lost. Living in a town where I work literally two minutes from where I live, I recognize how sad it was that I got lost. I sat down next to a woman who was new to the district, like me, and little did I realize how things would go. It turns out, this wonderful lady has had 10 years of teaching experience, loads of education, and is a really fun person. I don't know where our friendship will lead, but I can say that I would not have made it through this week without her. She has given (and continues to give) me so much support. All of my questions about curriculum and how certain things work she has been able to answer and/or problem solve with me. Yet, while being in this mentor role (that I very much so thrust her into) she still treats me as an intelligent being, like a colleague. It has be so incredibly wonderful to have made this connection, I don't even have the words to say how grateful I am.
There are many times when I question my luck/karma/whatever you want to call it. I fall a lot, and choke on my own spit. In a memorable occasion today I literally dribbled coffee out of my mouth. Yet, with all of that I will say I have lucked out. I have two administrators at this school who are supportive and innovative without being invasive. I have a department that, so far, has gained a great report and has a ton of cohesive ideas on how to invigorate the curriculum here. Like I said in my last post, I am still nervous and scared. I have many "what ifs" in my brain. The silver lining is that I am also excited. I have been so fortunate to have met some truly wonderful people here and begin to build a spectacular professional support team. This means the world to me.
Okay, I end this post with this: I have so far (in my three whole days of having this blog) posted every day. I doubt I'll keep that up. I will not commit to a regular posting schedule, but I will try to post as often as I can. I encourage you to leave comments if you have them, especially if you have questions or if you yourself are in the education system (or know someone who is) and have any tips. I wish I didn't have to include this but, while I am asking for comments, I prefer constructive criticism, questions or positive comments. Please be respectful of both me and one another.
Alrighty, thanks for reading everyone...slash Mom.
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