The title of this post is a phrase, I have come to realize, that could define me perfectly. I am just that...A little bit of this (mom) and a little bit of that (dad).
My week of preparation is over. Tonight I am writing this post for two reasons...one because I figured I needed to update the blog and two...I can't sleep. Tomorrow is the first day of school...not only for my MANY 2ND graders, but for me as well! I am so excited for second grade! Tonight I feel like I have a gymnastics competition tomorrow only I didn't have spaghetti for dinner. The anticipation of the responsibility I am about to take on is such an overwhelming yet wonderful feeling.
As the I counted down the days and hours to the final preparations for tomorrow I learned a lot about myself. I saw a lot of my mom in me this past week...the organization, the neatness, the strive for perfection and the details I put into the room are all things I learned and inherited from her. When I left today and took one last look around I felt a sense of pride because the room looked good...but I also felt thankful for an amazing role model.
The other part I am learning is that I am just like my dad too! Today I hung a few things in the room that required hammers and nail (shh....not sure if I was allowed to do that) and I also hooked up my document camera without the help from our tech staff. I was definitely my father's daughter this week!
These things created many thoughts and emotions for me this evening. I know that my degree may be why I was hired and considered "qualified" to teach...but really, I think I am more prepared because of my life long role models. I would have given anything for their physical help in the classroom this week...not just for the extra help, but more for the chance to soak up more good habits from them and to just enjoy their company.
Thank you mom and dad for giving me the tools to succeed and for believing in me as well...can't wait to see you Thursday and for you to come into my classroom as our "very special guests" on Friday.
I love you guys!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Who knew there was a height requirement for teaching???
For all of you who love the short jokes...you will enjoy this post...
Today I spent about 90% of the time in my classroom up on a chair/ledge/desk/counter. I was doing my decorating, minding my own business when a teacher (who happens to be well over 6 feet tall) poked his head in and just busted out laughing. He proceeded to then say, "Stanton, I have poked my head in here now 4 times (the other 3 I never noticed) and each time you are up on some kind of surface...why don't you grow a few inches and that would assist you in your decorating." Yeah, yeah - I'm short. :)
However, due to my "athletic abilities (ha ha) at least I was able to climb and my classroom is finally beginning to look fun/friendly/inviting!
This week has been INSANE! Monday I was in and out of meetings but able to be in my classroom in between because the meetings were at Sheridan. I ended up staying until about 5pm and got a lot done. Tuesday we sat in a meeting from 8am - 3pm. Again, I had to stay late in order to even spend time working on my room. Today I was able to spend some time in there from 7:30-12:00 but then had to go to yet ANOTHER meeting.
Tomorrow we have our "meet and greet" from 4pm-6pm. I have been told that about 1/3 of the school's families come so not to expect a ton but ... you never know. I hope many of my kids come-I am so excited to meet them.
Also...as for the voting...my class list jumped up 3 kids today....YIKES!
Today I spent about 90% of the time in my classroom up on a chair/ledge/desk/counter. I was doing my decorating, minding my own business when a teacher (who happens to be well over 6 feet tall) poked his head in and just busted out laughing. He proceeded to then say, "Stanton, I have poked my head in here now 4 times (the other 3 I never noticed) and each time you are up on some kind of surface...why don't you grow a few inches and that would assist you in your decorating." Yeah, yeah - I'm short. :)
However, due to my "athletic abilities (ha ha) at least I was able to climb and my classroom is finally beginning to look fun/friendly/inviting!
This week has been INSANE! Monday I was in and out of meetings but able to be in my classroom in between because the meetings were at Sheridan. I ended up staying until about 5pm and got a lot done. Tuesday we sat in a meeting from 8am - 3pm. Again, I had to stay late in order to even spend time working on my room. Today I was able to spend some time in there from 7:30-12:00 but then had to go to yet ANOTHER meeting.
Tomorrow we have our "meet and greet" from 4pm-6pm. I have been told that about 1/3 of the school's families come so not to expect a ton but ... you never know. I hope many of my kids come-I am so excited to meet them.
Also...as for the voting...my class list jumped up 3 kids today....YIKES!
Monday, August 24, 2009
The FIRST Day
Today I got to play many roles...it was the first day back! I played the typical teacher-frantically trying to get her room "kid ready", the returning teacher-back at the same school, and the new teacher as well. It was so great to walk into the building this morning and see the many familiar faces. I was able to catch up with many colleagues and friends! (That was the returning role) I also was able to get away with attending all of the new teacher meetings. (Obviously...the new teacher role) The best parts about the meetings were that they mentioned things that go on in a school year that I already knew about from being there last year, however this time, I found out why things are done the way they are instead of just being thrown into routines and not knowing the meanings behind them.
Most of today was actually spent in the classroom for me. I spent about 75% of my day organizing the cabinets in the room. It was great to be able to go through all of the supplies and move things where I want them. I also found a ton of new things available to use and decorate the room! I ended up laminating a ton of posters and decorations as well...when it was all done, I had about 25 feet of laminated material to cut out!! Good thing the school laminates for free and also that I have an awesome roommate to help me do the cutting! ;)
I have my class list...and although it is changing probably as we speak, I have a great idea about how many kids will be in my class....VOTE...only 3 days left. ;)
Most of today was actually spent in the classroom for me. I spent about 75% of my day organizing the cabinets in the room. It was great to be able to go through all of the supplies and move things where I want them. I also found a ton of new things available to use and decorate the room! I ended up laminating a ton of posters and decorations as well...when it was all done, I had about 25 feet of laminated material to cut out!! Good thing the school laminates for free and also that I have an awesome roommate to help me do the cutting! ;)
I have my class list...and although it is changing probably as we speak, I have a great idea about how many kids will be in my class....VOTE...only 3 days left. ;)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Furniture
Anxious...that would be the correct way to describe my feelings now. I wish it would be next week already. That would mean I'd be in my classroom, setting up, preparing and doing what I love. That would also mean I would be done with easel shopping...
That's right, I said easel shopping. I never thought this would be a constant ache in my side!!! After the house, I have come to realize (with no surprise) that furniture is NOT cheap. It's almost obvious to assume that when decorating a house to it's full you need to have money. It never occurred to me that my teachers went through this same realization when setting up their classrooms.
I have been wanting and actually needing to buy an easel for my classroom. Ideally I would love to have the typical easel that has a dry erase board on one side and a chalkboard on the other. Stop reading for the moment and take a guess at how much you would think something like this costs...
...
...
OK...well, at the teacher stores the average price is...$250.00!!!!! (OUCH) Needless to say, I was hoping to spend that total on the classroom, not just on one thing!
This decorating process has been just that, a process. But no worries, I found IKEA...and the exact easel I want for $14.99!!!
Next on the list...bean bag chairs. :)
That's right, I said easel shopping. I never thought this would be a constant ache in my side!!! After the house, I have come to realize (with no surprise) that furniture is NOT cheap. It's almost obvious to assume that when decorating a house to it's full you need to have money. It never occurred to me that my teachers went through this same realization when setting up their classrooms.
I have been wanting and actually needing to buy an easel for my classroom. Ideally I would love to have the typical easel that has a dry erase board on one side and a chalkboard on the other. Stop reading for the moment and take a guess at how much you would think something like this costs...
...
...
OK...well, at the teacher stores the average price is...$250.00!!!!! (OUCH) Needless to say, I was hoping to spend that total on the classroom, not just on one thing!
This decorating process has been just that, a process. But no worries, I found IKEA...and the exact easel I want for $14.99!!!
Next on the list...bean bag chairs. :)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Let the count down begin...
School will officially start for me in T-one week! On Thursday, August 20th I will attend my new teacher orientation which will also serve as credit towards my tenure! As excited as I am for this day, I am even more excited for August 24th...my first day back at Sheridan!On the 24th we will all come together as a staff and begin the 09-10 school year.
This week will be full of long days congested with room organization/decorating, meetings, room organization/decorating, lesson planning, catching up with old collegues, and yep-more room organizing and decorating.
I am looking most forward to the "Meet and Greet" night that will be happening on Thursday, August 27. It will be a great chance to meet both my students and their families. I hope to get a great turn out as we sent home our "welcome letters" this week!
Second grade...here I come!
This week will be full of long days congested with room organization/decorating, meetings, room organization/decorating, lesson planning, catching up with old collegues, and yep-more room organizing and decorating.
I am looking most forward to the "Meet and Greet" night that will be happening on Thursday, August 27. It will be a great chance to meet both my students and their families. I hope to get a great turn out as we sent home our "welcome letters" this week!
Second grade...here I come!
History
I should probably start out the blog by letting you all in on the history of my teaching career at this point in time. I will officially be starting my first year as a teacher, however, I was blessed to have a great experience last spring to prepare my for my future endevour...
On Februray 13th (Which was a Friday by the way) I began my first day at Sheridan School (which is where I will be teaching this year as well). I was hired as a long-call substitute teacher in a kindergarten classroom. I was brought on in February to finish out the school year. The teacher who I replaced (figuratively) was promoted to our school's Curriculum Coordinator. He is a wonderful man with a huge talent in this profession and I wish him luck on his path to becoming a principal one day!
It was on this day when my new life began. I always dreamed of being a teacher and it was always my first choice to teach kindergarten. Accomplishing these 2 goals at once was a blessing...and how hard could it be to live out the dream, right? WRONG! My 5 months as kindergarten teacher could be described as: FUN, CHALLENGING, REWARDING, and INSPIRING all at the same time...but easy was not a word I would ever use to describe that adventure.
I had never experienced inner-city teaching and honestly never thought it would be a place for me...boy was I wrong. As hard as it was and as much work went into those 5 months, the rewards of the children's success and the relationships that were built made it all worth it!
It was this experience that landed me an official teaching position in the Minneapolis School District where I now get to return to Sheridan and work with and for the amazing people I didn't want to leave!
I hope you enjoy following my adventure into teaching! I plan to update this blog as much as possible.
On Februray 13th (Which was a Friday by the way) I began my first day at Sheridan School (which is where I will be teaching this year as well). I was hired as a long-call substitute teacher in a kindergarten classroom. I was brought on in February to finish out the school year. The teacher who I replaced (figuratively) was promoted to our school's Curriculum Coordinator. He is a wonderful man with a huge talent in this profession and I wish him luck on his path to becoming a principal one day!
It was on this day when my new life began. I always dreamed of being a teacher and it was always my first choice to teach kindergarten. Accomplishing these 2 goals at once was a blessing...and how hard could it be to live out the dream, right? WRONG! My 5 months as kindergarten teacher could be described as: FUN, CHALLENGING, REWARDING, and INSPIRING all at the same time...but easy was not a word I would ever use to describe that adventure.
I had never experienced inner-city teaching and honestly never thought it would be a place for me...boy was I wrong. As hard as it was and as much work went into those 5 months, the rewards of the children's success and the relationships that were built made it all worth it!
It was this experience that landed me an official teaching position in the Minneapolis School District where I now get to return to Sheridan and work with and for the amazing people I didn't want to leave!
I hope you enjoy following my adventure into teaching! I plan to update this blog as much as possible.
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