There is no such thing as being "caught up"
Ok... it's been a while. But I've decided to put aside my lesson plans and my teacher edition textbooks to "catch up" with life online.
As most of you know, I am now a third grade teacher. It is a wierd feeling to have a full-time job where half of my paycheck goes to the state of CA. I am paying rent and buying groceries, gas, and take-out when I am too tired to cook after a long day at school. And when I say long... I'm talking long. There have been several days when I've rolled out of the school parking lot three or four hours after the children have been dismissed. What is taking me so long? Paperwork mostly. Keeping it all organized and graded for upcoming report cards and parent-teacher conferences. Remember... this is my first year. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing! But luckily, I feel instinct has kicked in and somehow i have managed to survive seven full weeks without pulling out all of my hair.
I only have 14 kids right now... I had 16, but two kids have moved from the district. In any case, i am still left with a "tough class." Nine English language learners, one ADHD child, one RSP student who reads at a first grade level, one student who loves to sing and talk during class, and fourteen unique children who all deserve the best education I can give them. Frankly, I am not complaining because i have seen great improvement in all of my students, but it is very annoying when my colleagues and the principal keep coming in to tell me how bad, challenging, or low my class is and how they wonder how I'm "holding up." Let me tell you... kids are kids. I know what backgrounds my students have and what's been written in their cumm. records. But they know what my rules are, and they know i expect their "personal best" everyday. I feel like I learn just as much (if not more) from them as they do from me. That is one of the many rewards of teaching. And that's one of the many things that keeps me going each day.
I have been launched into the adult world and have realized that there is no turning back. It's kinda scary. But this is what I went to college for. This is the next step... the next season of my life.
As most of you know, I am now a third grade teacher. It is a wierd feeling to have a full-time job where half of my paycheck goes to the state of CA. I am paying rent and buying groceries, gas, and take-out when I am too tired to cook after a long day at school. And when I say long... I'm talking long. There have been several days when I've rolled out of the school parking lot three or four hours after the children have been dismissed. What is taking me so long? Paperwork mostly. Keeping it all organized and graded for upcoming report cards and parent-teacher conferences. Remember... this is my first year. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing! But luckily, I feel instinct has kicked in and somehow i have managed to survive seven full weeks without pulling out all of my hair.
I only have 14 kids right now... I had 16, but two kids have moved from the district. In any case, i am still left with a "tough class." Nine English language learners, one ADHD child, one RSP student who reads at a first grade level, one student who loves to sing and talk during class, and fourteen unique children who all deserve the best education I can give them. Frankly, I am not complaining because i have seen great improvement in all of my students, but it is very annoying when my colleagues and the principal keep coming in to tell me how bad, challenging, or low my class is and how they wonder how I'm "holding up." Let me tell you... kids are kids. I know what backgrounds my students have and what's been written in their cumm. records. But they know what my rules are, and they know i expect their "personal best" everyday. I feel like I learn just as much (if not more) from them as they do from me. That is one of the many rewards of teaching. And that's one of the many things that keeps me going each day.
I have been launched into the adult world and have realized that there is no turning back. It's kinda scary. But this is what I went to college for. This is the next step... the next season of my life.
posted by xoxoandaloha @ 9:10 PM
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