First week of school is dun. I mean done!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the second week of school. Yes, I made it through the first week of school as a first year teacher. And...I learned a lot. Possibly more than my students.

I've always been a planner. I like to plan for the future. Living in the moment has always been difficult for me. Well, teachers have to live in the moment. With a class in front of me, I can't worry about supper or even the next class period. I need to be with my class at that time and moment and help them to understand the lesson of the day, not tomorrow's. I need to respond to their needs and their responses at that time.

Still smiling after my first day of teaching.

Teachers are also not forgetful. When I was in elementary school, I remember thinking that my teacher's forgot a lot of stuff. Between remembering my current lesson plans, those that I'm going to teach tomorrow, meetings, student names, and even taking attendance, I frequently can't wrap my mind around the little details that I'm supposed to remember, like what I ate for breakfast or even lunch.

My first week of lessons were mostly part of get-to-know-you and team work activities. These exhausted me. The students were very active and talkative, which I did expect. The only time my 7th and 8th graders didn't talk was when I told them that they had to complete a challenge without talking to their teammates and if they spoke, they would be disqualified. Yes, middle school students like to talk.

During the day, I loved my job, but when I got home and reflected on my day, I was exhausted and couldn't imagine doing more prep for the next day. But I did. The days were more stressful when I reflected on it  because I focused on the negative. Caught this kid on a cell phone, one kid had to leave class, and another constantly spoke to get attention during my teaching. I had to get away from the negativity. My secret--I took forty-five minutes to myself when I got home to run, play guitar, or read. This was my calm down time. Then I could eat, shower, and continue to prep while curled up on my couch.

Something that I haven't been able to do is keep my daily journal of my first year of teaching. I hope to make this part of my daily routine so that I reflect then and there on how my lessons could be improved. One step at a time!

Tomorrow's the First Day of School!

Yes. Tomorrow is the first day of school. I have been there several times throughout the summer and spent most of last week in workshops. But now, my job really begins. I'll get to school as the sun comes up and before students crawl through the hallways (because let's admit it, they aren't ready for school to be in session either).

Four years of schooling and a summer spent, mostly, planning. Ready or not, the students will come. I submitted my lesson plans yesterday. I have my to-do list for when I get to school. I feel prepared.

There's a feeling of concern, too. What if I forgot something? What if I can't take up the full class period? I can't let my students believe that they'll have "free" time at the end of every class period since they got it that first day.

In the end, though, I need to take the advice of my colleague: "Go in, have fun. You can't take back the first day."

When I'm sitting in my room during first hour prep, I need to remind myself that I love this job, this career. I am prepared for this school year. 

To any other new teachers, best of luck. Remember, we love this career!