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Saturday, December 27, 2014

First year syndrome...

Okay, okay...it's DECEMBER 26th and I haven't posted anything since August. I feel so terrible that I have posted absolutely nothing, but in a way this will be a great reflection on my first semester as a teacher. I could not even begin to break it down month-by-month because my days and weeks all run together. Throughout my time as a teacher, I have learned so much about myself, my life as a teacher, and my students.

I look back on the very beginning of the school year and I remember having each one of my days planned (that is something I still do each week). My classroom management was solid and working for my kids. Our classroom was respectful and we were functioning. I don't know where it happened or what went wrong, but my classroom slowly started getting crazier and crazier. I had days where I felt as if I was in the hallway putting out fires more than I was in the classroom. I didn't want to be the teacher that sent kids to the office and most importantly, I didn't want to be that teacher that gave up on a few kids. I have confidence that the new year will give us all a chance to "start fresh" and get back on track. I have some new 'things' planned and I am hoping those make the difference.

When it comes to content, it is such a learning process. I started the year feeling like I was just pulling random topics from our new standards list and I was just going with it. They probably were not logical, but that is the name of the game. We learn how to change things and adapt. Our district recently started mapping the standards with big ideas in mind. This recent change most definitely helped guide my instruction during quarter 2. When I think of content, I think of our state standardized test. I try not to think about this much because it makes me panic majorly. I worry that I have not done enough for some of the kids and I worry that it won't be the results they are looking for. In a way, I believe that this is every teacher's fear, but I pray every single day that I can help each one of those kids in some way. 

I know that each day is a journey and I have to take it one day at a time. I have no idea what I would do without my students. I love each one of them so much. They are all so unique in their own way and they are so funny! I have a goal that this new year will be filled with new beginnings to a successful year. 

I hope you all had an amazing holiday spent with your family. 2014 has been a great year and one for the books! 


Signed,

A teacher still LOVING her job!