Sunday, August 7, 2011

And now the ball really begins to roll...

Tomorrow I'll wake up early, get my car into rush hour traffic, and begin new teacher orientation.  It still doesn't feel quite like I'm a teacher. I wonder when that will set in...tomorrow? When my room is set up? Probably on the 1st day of school when I meet my 120-ish students.

I'm quite nervous. I've had a few breakdowns where my husband has had to look me in the eyes and say, "Everything is going to be ok. It's all going to work out." I know it will all be fine, but it's overwhelming to think of all the things that need to get done (especially for 1st year teachers starting from scratch!).  There is A LOT of multitasking when you are a teacher, lemme tell you!

I lose my daytime...so any more lesson planning will have to be done in the evenings. Eek.
But on the bright side, I plan to take 1 bag/box of stuff to my classroom a day...and maybe I'll get some spare time to swing to my room and begin to unpack and get things rockin.'

So bare with me as I transition into these weeks. If I sound unrealistic in what I'm trying to do,  tell me. If I'm cranky, knock some sense into me! You won't hurt my feelings. :)

9 comments:

  1. good luck tomorrow! it'll be overwhelming! --do the mandated tasks you're assigned, then pick one or two other things that you'd like to try. don't think you have to do everything this year. you're passionate and you care about the kids--let them be your motivation! and always remember to have fun :o)

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  2. Oh, I am so glad that I'm not the only one who's suffering breakdowns. My husband has to keep doing the same thing too. Hang in there. We'll both survive!

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  3. Love the "Lyrics to Live By", especially because they're non-traditional rap lyrics. I barely remember my first year, other than the fact that all I did plan ALL the time. Anytime friends or family wanted to see me my excuse was always, "I'm planning". Sometimes normal people don't understand what it is we have to do on a daily basis from creating lessons, HW, quizzes, exams to marking said HW, quizzes, exams to making contact with parents and trying to get some direction from wiser colleagues.

    There were some highlights that I store in my memory bank, but everything else was just trying to keep up with the day to day workload. Trust me, there will be days where you plan a lesson the night before and then realize the next morning that it wasn't plausible and have to start from scratch. Don't panic! :D It'll be all right.

    And I agree with jen, you don't have to be 100% innovative your first year. You may have learned a ton of great ideas to try in your classroom but don't be too hard on yourself if you don't manage to do everything perfectly. It's huge learning experience, that first year. I'm still not done working out the kinks. Good luck!!

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  4. Good luck tomorrow! I know that it may be overwhelming as a new teacher but I agree with the previous posters...you should definitely do what's mandated and then add a thing or two as you feel comfortable...and don't forget to have fun! ;) Have an AWESOME week!

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  5. Good luck to you! The days will go by fast as you try to get everything you want do, so try to enjoy them and the kids. Remember also, it DOES get better!

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  6. Wishing you the best of luck!! I am student teaching this year and just that is sending me into a massive ball of nerves. We are both going to be just fine. :)

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  7. Wow ladies! thanks for the Encouragement! I'm the type of person that when I find a good idea, I want to do it ASAP...but I really need to remember it's ok not to do everything right away.

    So far, new teacher orientation is going great! I love our assistant principals and the district. Getting pumped! Share more later :)

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  8. Your husband is right! Everything is going to work out!
    There is a TON of multi-tasking...that's why I make so many to-do lists. Teaching can be challenging and tough sometimes, but it's all worth it! I have done my fair share of break-downs--and I'm not sure if it ever stops. Or if it's just innately teacherish to have nervous issues.
    You're not unrealistic! Know that you WILL get it done. Don't freak out about the process (pot says to kettle, right?).
    Let me know if you have any specific things you'd like advice about! I'd love to chat with you! :)
    Whitney

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  9. Thanks Whitney! It know everything will be worth it when it all comes together :) It's just funny the emotions teachers go through...excitement to nervousness, to frustration...and in one day! haha.

    I can't think of anything specific to ask, but if I do, I'll be coming to you! :)

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