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I'm back to being a new teacher. My 8th year teaching but back to square one.
I had my first day of new teacher orientation. I am overwhelmed with how friendly and kind everyone is in my new school district. But even with all the wonderful support and kindness, I was feeling overwhelmed by the end of the day.
I still don't have my room totally set up.
Another English teacher had the most stylish looking room. Hard to explain why it looked so classy and welcoming, but I'm sure having real bookshelves (previously library bookshelves) instead of boards and cinder blocks has something to do with it. I don't have enough bookshelves, that's for sure. I was feeling like I was getting close to making everything fit into my room until I realized I had ANOTHER box still waiting with my most important books.
The principal said I can switch textbooks, but we've hardly had a chance to discuss it. Not like we have much time to deal with it. I do have an old set of CLCs to start the year with... Gosh, seems like last year. Maybe I can talk to him about it tomorrow.
Whereas last year I had all these special worksheets I had been working on regarding pronunciation, beginning of the year procedures, etc, this year I've done next to nothing. I took the summer off, well, as near as someone like me can.
Ok, I did brainstorm a bit over the last couple of weeks about teaching the alphabet and combining that with numbers. Maybe I'll write about that later.
Anyway, I'm sure the year will work out ok. I mean, I met some of the nicest, most polite teens today--polite, friendly, etc. Nothing like where I used to be.
But to anyone else out there having beginning of the year stress, just know that it's normal. Or at least it isn't abnormal.
I had my first day of new teacher orientation. I am overwhelmed with how friendly and kind everyone is in my new school district. But even with all the wonderful support and kindness, I was feeling overwhelmed by the end of the day.
I still don't have my room totally set up.
Another English teacher had the most stylish looking room. Hard to explain why it looked so classy and welcoming, but I'm sure having real bookshelves (previously library bookshelves) instead of boards and cinder blocks has something to do with it. I don't have enough bookshelves, that's for sure. I was feeling like I was getting close to making everything fit into my room until I realized I had ANOTHER box still waiting with my most important books.
The principal said I can switch textbooks, but we've hardly had a chance to discuss it. Not like we have much time to deal with it. I do have an old set of CLCs to start the year with... Gosh, seems like last year. Maybe I can talk to him about it tomorrow.
Whereas last year I had all these special worksheets I had been working on regarding pronunciation, beginning of the year procedures, etc, this year I've done next to nothing. I took the summer off, well, as near as someone like me can.
Ok, I did brainstorm a bit over the last couple of weeks about teaching the alphabet and combining that with numbers. Maybe I'll write about that later.
Anyway, I'm sure the year will work out ok. I mean, I met some of the nicest, most polite teens today--polite, friendly, etc. Nothing like where I used to be.
But to anyone else out there having beginning of the year stress, just know that it's normal. Or at least it isn't abnormal.
Vacations and Beginning of the Year
Date: 2006-08-04 11:47 am (UTC)I joined my school last year, so I definately understand how you feel. I spent most of last year just figuring out where the kids were and where I was.
I'm still on vacation, mind you, because I've just finished an Honours Specialist course (in Ontario, this puts you in position for department head positions and for the highest pay grades) at the end of July, so I need three weeks to simply rest. I'm thinking about what I need to do, but I'm quite deliberately taking down time.
Still, there is that buzz of beginning of the year stress in the background, especially becaus, as a result of my course this summer, I have a whole set of changes I'm planning to implement (some small, some large) this year. I'll get back full force to prep after the 16th, I think.
Phil S.
Re: Vacations and Beginning of the Year
Date: 2006-08-04 11:51 am (UTC)You know, I'm thinking that there's something about my room that doesn't inspire me and fire me up. I haven't figured out what it is. Maybe the cinder blocks and boards that make up one of the bookshelves. ha! I need *something*...nescioquid...
Well, I'll figure it out.
Re: Vacations and Beginning of the Year
Date: 2006-08-04 02:15 pm (UTC)Sandy
Re: Vacations and Beginning of the Year
Date: 2006-08-04 08:33 pm (UTC)