Yes, this is how I feel about tomorrow.
I’m to the point.
Yes, at the beginning of the year I wasn’t, but now I am.
I like teaching- no, really…I do. [Please login or register to view private content.]
Walking through the halls after the last bell I noticed a sign on a teacher’s door that said, “Ask yourself, what have you learned today?” Good question.
I have learned to never underestimate students. You may have one that grates on your last nerve and seems to do so deliberately, but he/she may be capable of being a class stand out…in a positive way. I have several students that are high maintenance, but with their insight they surprise me on a regular basis. Just when you think no one gets it, what is wrong with these people they step up and express their understanding in such a way that makes the light come on for everyone else.
I have learned (relearned) that despite how frustrated I am or the problems I may have there is someone going through a more difficult time. It’s all about perspective. Our problems are big to us, but if you hear those of others yours can seem smaller.
I have learned that the past is the past, but the future can hold so much more than you ever dreamed of.
I have learned that sometimes it is best to keep your thoughts to yourself. In a society burdened by the perception of greatness and political correctness it is many times best to simply smile and nod.
Not bad for a day that I woke up hoping it was Friday. Just think how our outlooks would change if we awoke questioning what will we learn that day instead of questioning if we will make it to the end of the day with our sanity. BTW, if you are teacher reading this I regret to inform you that you lost your sanity a long time ago, stop looking for it and just enjoy what mental health you have left. This probably applies to several out there- teachers and non.
It’s about time to head to class. I am very thankful that they have an exam tonight. I just don’t think I would have had it in me to lecture for 2.5 hours. Planning for that length of time has been tough! Hmmmm…I don’t want them to do poorly, but wouldn’t it be awesome if they all finished before hour two? Maybe they all just studied that much!
Their lives are falling apart and it feels like the world is on their shoulders, but we expect them to complete vocabulary for chapter 6 and study for a science test. No, they must forget the fact that someone close to them died last week. They are expected to stay focused when their best friend is being mistreated at home and they don’t know what to do to help. They are expected to complete their homework and study for the tests even though their parents were fighting all night. They are expected to come to class with their homework and be prepared for the test today even though two people jumped them in front of their house and left them bruised, battered, and humiliated the night before. These are just a few of the situations students deal with on a daily basis. It isn’t even the worst of the worst. So what do we do? They have to be accountable for their schoolwork. They have to pass if they hope for a better life. Can we really expect them to just suck it up and move on? In their shoes, could we? We can’t just say put your head down and you are excused from work until it is all better. Many will not face a better life unless they claw their way out of their current tragedy of life. Somehow we have to teach them that life sucks sometimes, but you still have to keep pushing forward. It doesn’t mean we don’t care. It doesn’t mean we let them wallow in their tragedy. It means that we face each day with the understanding that life is not perfect for the students. It means that we have to know when to push, when to pull, and when to carry the student to the next level. It may be as simple as walking the student down the hall to the counselor. However, this is education…is anything really simple?
As an educator you have to power to make or destroy someone’s day. I’m not talking about handing out grades. The power an educator has is much bigger than assessment. Everything in the world can be going wrong for that person but your compliment can ease their stress. Everything in the world could be perfect at that moment, but your accusation or criticism can ruin their day. (Really, this can be applied to all people, not just educators.) I’m also not simply referring to teachers addressing students. It includes teachers addressing students, teachers addressing other teachers, secretaries, administrators. Even administrators addressing faculty or students. Support personnel should not be left out. PEOPLE IN GENERAL!
Some will want to be strong and claim that another does not have that power over them. I disagree. Yes, we can choose our attitude and response. We can choose to work through a negative situation. However, we’re human and sometimes things just hurt. Before you speak, make sure you have all the information. Address the truth, not your version of it. Perception is not reality.
I would love to post more but lately it just isn’t happening. Here’s what I’m up to…
Health kick…I’m tired of feeling yuck so I’m going to do something about it. [Please login or register to view private content.]
If you have been reading here anytime at all you know that our lives have been consumed with a state to state move, new jobs, and new circumstances. I thought I would miss our house, yard, back yard water view, great neighborhood, and my relaxing refuge- the garden tub. Surprisingly no. I LOVE being back here and am absolutely loving my job. Maybe it is because this is where we met and spent our first years. It could simply be that it is an attractive area that is great for the family. I don’t know, but I do love being back. Starting a new school was professionally the best thing in the world for me. What is the difference? No clue. Before I thought it was the grade level that I disliked. Freshman are a different breed. I also thought that it could simply be the subject. I think the subject had a lot to do with it, but not everything. MS Studies is at the bottom of my list of subjects I want to teach…somewhere just above Economics. I love teaching World History, but that isn’t all that makes the new school better for me. The kids are just nicer. I haven’t been completely disrespected, insulted, threatened, or even blatantly disobeyed. For the most part the students come in and do what is asked of them. Never before in my teaching of 9th grade have I been able to make an assignment at the beginning of the period and it be done without having to stay RIGHT on top of the students. The students bring their books to class and they even have necessary supplies. Not the case before. I don’t know what makes them different, but I like it.
I teach my first college class tomorrow night. I’m ready, but it is a little nerve racking. I’m trying to remember myself as a freshman. You know, clueless. I’m not overly concerned with the teaching aspect. I just hope I don’t have some DA in the class who wants to show how much he knows. You know the type. The one that throws something out there to get the prof off topic or see if they can get the better of him/her. No time or patience for that.
I do have to sing praises for my current hs freshman. This is the best group I have ever taught. They are not the brightest bulbs in the box, as a whole, but they are good kids. Their main goal is not to make my life miserable. Over the last few years I taught some spoiled twits that made teaching miserable. I am actually enjoying teaching this year. Honestly, I think everyone should change jobs every few years just to gain perspective and keep life fresh.
This was the most difficult school start I have had, but it wasn’t terrible. I am a floater, so there was no classroom to prepare. There is a blessing and curse. Certainly it is better to concentrate on what will be taught, but without a classroom there is no home base. I have no where to keep everything. Sharing the rooms of others I feel like such an interloper. I do have the last four periods in one place. Well, planning, then the last three classes. The room is still that of another, but it is better than having to change with the students. The school is great. Same concept as where I was. Certain aspects are better, others need work. The hardest part has been adjusting to a new place. It is very difficult to go from the person trying to help the newbies, to being the newbie. It is very unsettling to have to look like you know exactly what you are doing, when the actuality is that you are simply flying by the seat of your pants. In the classroom I am 100% comfortable. Procedures and such…let’s just say forgiveness is a wonderful thing. There are several on faculty that are looking our for me and have been SO helpful. For that, I am truly thankful. It’s going to be a great year…
now off to buy a laptop. there’s a story here….I’ll share later.
Here I come!
It is the start of a new school year and at a new school. I am anxious, excited, and ready to see how this story will go. I’m apprehensive. It has been several years since the last time I taught World History. This is my favorite subject to teach, so I am looking forward to it. As Student Council sponsor I am lost, but I have been assured the rules are set up and help will be there if I need it. I will need it.
I’m actually more concerned about teaching World Civ. University freshman, unknown teaching territory. The time is not now to deal with that!
Time to get it together and go to the exciting world of intro meetings. Hooorah. :-/
