because I can't believe how great my new school is. Honestly, I'm very impressed with everyone from the help I've received from the custodial staff to the words of encouragement from the principal and the offers of activity ideas from others in my department. My instructional coaches and mentor have been wonderful so far as well.
I even felt compelled to call my mom and tell her how supported I feel. I really hope that the first day will go well because if that does, then all I'll be able to be more focused and successful the rest of the year. Oh the excitement and pressure!
My students arrive Tuesday, although I won't have the majority of them until Wednesday because we don't meet TR. All I know is that this week will go by fast, and I'll be exhausted!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Staring down the barrel of my first year...
Tomorrow's the day! My first report day at school is tomorrow and I'm really excited. and nervous. and anxious. and so ready for it! This past week I've used to plan and get ready for the very busy and exhausting first year ahead.
I'm really glad that I took the summer off. It really gave me a chance to relax and forced me to calm down from the 700 mph that I go during the school year. What a change. I actually got to spend time with Gus and ponder life in general for a while. It was great!
We are also trying for new housing in this exciting time. We applied for a condo just north of where we are, so hopefully we get it. But that will mean more stress with moving, but we have to get out of where we're at now. Too many lies. Too expensive for what we get.
Well, I'll let you all know how it goes when I get a chance. Only a week from tomorrow and I'll have students too! Yay!
I'm really glad that I took the summer off. It really gave me a chance to relax and forced me to calm down from the 700 mph that I go during the school year. What a change. I actually got to spend time with Gus and ponder life in general for a while. It was great!
We are also trying for new housing in this exciting time. We applied for a condo just north of where we are, so hopefully we get it. But that will mean more stress with moving, but we have to get out of where we're at now. Too many lies. Too expensive for what we get.
Well, I'll let you all know how it goes when I get a chance. Only a week from tomorrow and I'll have students too! Yay!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Prepping and Planning
This week I've been spending most of my day planning and prepping for the year to come. Yesterday I finished updating my policies and procedures along with my syllabus and other administrivia. I'm confident about those pieces now.
It seems like those are the most important pieces, so I'm glad I'm comfortable with them. They are the foundation of how the year is going to go, and last year went well during my long-term sub position with them so I'm excited about the changes I've made.
I've also spent some time planning the review/introductory units for my classes. I started planning my Spanish III class only to realize after a week and a half, that I only meet with them MWF. Duh! It's going to be a great challenge to maximize our time together and to get my students to the next level. Spanish I will be a bit more traditional with meeting everyday M-F.
Next week is the big kick-off. I start Tuesday and hit the ground running! We meet everyday all day, until the students arrive on the 18th. I'm glad it'll give me some time to get to know the people, the school and to get settled in.
I sent an email to a professor a couple days ago thanking him for the practicality and enthusiasm that his methods course offered me. I really feel great about this year. I was glad to hear in his response that he was getting tense about bringing a new set of study abroad students to Spain today. It was comforting to know that everyone goes through the nerves of a new situation. I'm excited to keep in contact with him throughout the year to help his students understand what it's like to be a first year teacher.
Well I thought I'd cronicle my first year, and if I intend to make it through I better get down to work again.
Next week at this time I'll be a Warrior! :)
It seems like those are the most important pieces, so I'm glad I'm comfortable with them. They are the foundation of how the year is going to go, and last year went well during my long-term sub position with them so I'm excited about the changes I've made.
I've also spent some time planning the review/introductory units for my classes. I started planning my Spanish III class only to realize after a week and a half, that I only meet with them MWF. Duh! It's going to be a great challenge to maximize our time together and to get my students to the next level. Spanish I will be a bit more traditional with meeting everyday M-F.
Next week is the big kick-off. I start Tuesday and hit the ground running! We meet everyday all day, until the students arrive on the 18th. I'm glad it'll give me some time to get to know the people, the school and to get settled in.
I sent an email to a professor a couple days ago thanking him for the practicality and enthusiasm that his methods course offered me. I really feel great about this year. I was glad to hear in his response that he was getting tense about bringing a new set of study abroad students to Spain today. It was comforting to know that everyone goes through the nerves of a new situation. I'm excited to keep in contact with him throughout the year to help his students understand what it's like to be a first year teacher.
Well I thought I'd cronicle my first year, and if I intend to make it through I better get down to work again.
Next week at this time I'll be a Warrior! :)
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