Training

School starts in less than 2 weeks! I started setting up my classroom last week and have been working on it this week as well. Two of the other fifth grade teachers met me on Tuesday afternoon to walk me through some of the curriculum. Wednesday and Thursday were all day new teacher training district-wide. In a district of 20 elementary/jr high schools, there are only 8 new teachers for grades 3-6! It is ridiculous~! I am overwhelmed with all the 'stuff' that needs to be done.. I haven't even started lesson planning. Yikes. There are 2 other first year teachers at my school (1st grade) and I'm glad to have that support network for sure. How is everyone else holding up?

The Important Book

This summer, the director of my preschool (not the one I attended...the one I taught at) told us about a great book. It's called The Important Book written by Margaret Wise Brown. It talks about somewhat random things (i.e. a shoe or the rain) and explains all of the things it does--but then the ONE REASON it's really important. Our director suggested making your own book with this. You can learn about the kids (from what they write about), encourage them to think in a new way (name JUST ONE reason it's most important), and keep the finished product to show (bind it into a book). Then, you can talk about what's really going to be important in your classroom--lead a class discussion about this (and even make a "class page" to go at the end).

I think I'm going to try to use this as a first day activity for them to work on while I give out textbooks, etc. Do y'all think the 6th graders will think this writing and drawing is too juvenile?

Yay!

So, I'm happy to report that I am officially employed. I will be working at a school called Bronson Elementary in 5th grade. I think I'll be the reading teacher, but I'm not sure haha. I'll know more after Friday (orientation) and all next week is prep, with kids coming the 18th. When does everyone else start?

First Day

I know the first day is fast approaching and I am so excited to hear all of yalls stories! Can we just videotape everything and send it around? Great. Tell me how yall are doing!

Ditto

Ahhh!! The stress is pretty much overwhelming me. I can't find a JOB! I simply can't believe that it is this difficult. I wish that I was stressed about starting a new job, but I can't even be stressed about that because I don't have a job yet! Betsy, if all else fails, can I be your assistant? K great.

I also had a question about what y'all included in your portfolios. Since I haven't had any interviews yet, I haven't exactly prepared one. And, true to form, I'm rushing a little bit to have one prepared so that I can interview as soon as I (hopefully) hear from somebody. Just let me know anything in particular y'all think should be included!

Good luck with the new year's preparations!!

P.S. I'm seriously available for hire. I make a mean bulletin board.

Stress

I am feeling stressed about the school year coming up so quickly. But yall, we've got to remind each other that we were made for this. This is it -- we are doing what we have spent our whole lives dreaming about! Maybe that's what makes it all the more stressful -- what in the world am I doing? what if what if what if... but in the end, we have to just take risks and truly invest in our students. 

How are yall feeling?! :)

:)

So I had a meeting at the district office last week and I left home early so I could stop by the school- the principal was just around the office and took me to my classroom. And the highlight of my year: MY NAME WAS ON THE DOOR!