I think I will forever be nervous on the "first day of school" for as long as I am a teacher. Maybe it actually gets easier.. but at least on "first day number two" I was still nervous!
I know I'm nervous when I can pop right out of bed without hitting snooze! Today was my first day at FA. I arrived to school dressed in my black capri dress pants and a new "grownup" black and white top from NY&C. I felt very adult... and was feeling pretty prepared for the day.
As soon as I arrived I went to make a few simple copies as I had received a new student and I didn't have enough. No big deal right? Wrong... The printer was off because B and I were literally some of the first people there and no one had used it yet. So I waited for forever for it to come on, and then the paper was getting jammed. I could feel my anxiety rising as I was no where near done with my morning to-do list and we were continually getting closer to 7:15 when the students could enter. Finally got the printer worked out and before I knew it the kids were arriving. Students began coming in and placing their materials in various places around the room. A MUCH better plan than my "dump everything in the back plan" I used last year.
After everyone got settled we read a book called First Day Jitters to try to rid ourselves of our nerves! Between my nerves.. the nerves of 9 new students to the school.. and the general nerves of the rest... there was definitely some anxiety in the room! I really think the book helped calm everyone down some. Throughout the day we did multiple activities like this one including playing the infamous connection... playing a get to know you bingo... and reading wartville wizard.
Overall I was beyond pleased with the kids behavior and the overall feel of the classroom. The kids were respectful, but we had fun too! Currently there are 28 enrolled in my homeroom!! This is only 3 more than I started with last year.. but it just feels big!
I truly felt great about the day until we came to carpool. I was placed on carpool duty... despite the fact that I really had no idea what I was doing! I did my best and was lucky to be working with some people who did know what they were doing. There were some major carpool issues, and traffic was so backed up that we made the news! wahoo. haha Probably not the press we are looking for. However I hear that it will all clear up within the next 4 days. Fingers Crossed!
So tomorrow is day 2 and I'm excited to go back. More fun get to know you activities are coming our way. After tomorrow we start instruction, at that point we will be switching classes! I have a reading and language arts class, a math class, and two science classes. I'm a little antsy about the science, but my team teacher K and I will figure it out! Thinking about all the academics makes my head spin a little bit because it is very different than what I'm used to... but I think I am really going to enjoy it!
The layout of the day is perfect too.
Reading. Specials.
Science. Recess.
Math. Lunch.
Science. Study Hall
See how there is some sort of break or relief after every major class!? Wahoo! This is amazing for a teacher and for the kids honestly.
With all this being said I will leave you with two things from today that made me smile:
"Ms. Funk I was born in China... oh and I speak French too." <- Really kid? Really?
"Ms. Funk you are the greatest teacher ever!" (note from child found on my desk <3)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
First Teacher Workday Eve
9:12 pm July 10, 2011
I am currently sitting in my bed.. not really the least bit tired, but preparing for bed as my alarm clock is changing from the usual 9:00 of summer (or later) to 6:15. YUCK.
Tomorrow I have my first teacher workday at FA. For anyone who doesn't know, I left PCS after the end of the school year and will be teaching 3rd grade next year at FA. Tomorrow we have our first teacher workday. The workday consists of a benefits meeting, new teacher meeting, and a direct instruction training all afternoon. I'm not really sure when we will be "working" in there, but I know I am going to have a lot of my questions answered. I'm excited!
I remember the eve of my first teacher workday last year. I was just as excited. As the year progressed I lost that excitement and joy as the year went on, and I am hoping for that happiness to remain throughout this year.
As I begin this year I want to take some time to reflect on all the lessons I learned last year. Here I am going to begin a list to get my mind going, and will hope to elaborate sometime this week. I went through my facebook statuses from the last year and as I remembered a time or a lesson learned I jotted it down.
Lessons Learned
1. I'm going to make mistakes.. and that's okay.
2. When dealing with conflict go directly to the source
3. Kids will be kids. Don't take it personally.
4. Focus on the successes... not the failures.
5. Don't let your work pile up.
6. Having friends at work is key
7. Work is not your whole life.. just a part of it.
8. Don't take kids behavior problems personally.
9. I can't fix every child and solve every problem.
10. Teachers have power over their kids. Use it wisely
11. Finding something to do at night is better than wallowing when times are hard.
12. Some days will be better than others.
13. Testing is NOT the end all be all
14. Field trips are way more fun for students than for teachers
15. Sleeping is key.
16. Spend time enjoying the company of your kids
17. When kids say funny things it's okay to let go and laugh
18. Don't stop going to the gym simply because you feel tired.
19. Keep in touch with your family and friends.. a support system is key.
20. When you feel like the world is crashing around you.. God is still holding you.
21. Even when you feel like you can't go another day... trust that you can.
22. Find a deep appreciate for Friday at 4:00
23. Use unexpected days off (snow days) wisely. They are gifts from God.
24. Your students can meet any expectations you set for them. Set them high.
25. Go to Church even though you will truly believe you need to sleep in.
26. You WILL see students in public. It's okay for them to know you're a real person.
27. Ask for help when you need it.
28. It's okay to take a sick day when you're sick.
29. Patience is key.
30. Good relationships with your student's parents are important.
31. Go to student's extracurricular activities.. it means the world to them
32. Being prepared will get you through the day
33. Rainy Days means no recess.. so make sure you have a rain day plan. For your sanity.
34. Your job first and foremost is to help them learn.
35. Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't.
36. Kids are people looking for love just like the rest of us
37. Punishing kids doesn't mean you don't like them. Actually quite the opposite.
38. Don't stay at school until evening hours. GO HOME.
40. Pray
41. Take things one day at a time.
42. The first day isn't as scary as it seems
43. When you're stressing take a minute to remember why you wanted to be a teacher. This will pull you through.
I am currently sitting in my bed.. not really the least bit tired, but preparing for bed as my alarm clock is changing from the usual 9:00 of summer (or later) to 6:15. YUCK.
Tomorrow I have my first teacher workday at FA. For anyone who doesn't know, I left PCS after the end of the school year and will be teaching 3rd grade next year at FA. Tomorrow we have our first teacher workday. The workday consists of a benefits meeting, new teacher meeting, and a direct instruction training all afternoon. I'm not really sure when we will be "working" in there, but I know I am going to have a lot of my questions answered. I'm excited!
I remember the eve of my first teacher workday last year. I was just as excited. As the year progressed I lost that excitement and joy as the year went on, and I am hoping for that happiness to remain throughout this year.
As I begin this year I want to take some time to reflect on all the lessons I learned last year. Here I am going to begin a list to get my mind going, and will hope to elaborate sometime this week. I went through my facebook statuses from the last year and as I remembered a time or a lesson learned I jotted it down.
Lessons Learned
1. I'm going to make mistakes.. and that's okay.
2. When dealing with conflict go directly to the source
3. Kids will be kids. Don't take it personally.
4. Focus on the successes... not the failures.
5. Don't let your work pile up.
6. Having friends at work is key
7. Work is not your whole life.. just a part of it.
8. Don't take kids behavior problems personally.
9. I can't fix every child and solve every problem.
10. Teachers have power over their kids. Use it wisely
11. Finding something to do at night is better than wallowing when times are hard.
12. Some days will be better than others.
13. Testing is NOT the end all be all
14. Field trips are way more fun for students than for teachers
15. Sleeping is key.
16. Spend time enjoying the company of your kids
17. When kids say funny things it's okay to let go and laugh
18. Don't stop going to the gym simply because you feel tired.
19. Keep in touch with your family and friends.. a support system is key.
20. When you feel like the world is crashing around you.. God is still holding you.
21. Even when you feel like you can't go another day... trust that you can.
22. Find a deep appreciate for Friday at 4:00
23. Use unexpected days off (snow days) wisely. They are gifts from God.
24. Your students can meet any expectations you set for them. Set them high.
25. Go to Church even though you will truly believe you need to sleep in.
26. You WILL see students in public. It's okay for them to know you're a real person.
27. Ask for help when you need it.
28. It's okay to take a sick day when you're sick.
29. Patience is key.
30. Good relationships with your student's parents are important.
31. Go to student's extracurricular activities.. it means the world to them
32. Being prepared will get you through the day
33. Rainy Days means no recess.. so make sure you have a rain day plan. For your sanity.
34. Your job first and foremost is to help them learn.
35. Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't.
36. Kids are people looking for love just like the rest of us
37. Punishing kids doesn't mean you don't like them. Actually quite the opposite.
38. Don't stay at school until evening hours. GO HOME.
40. Pray
41. Take things one day at a time.
42. The first day isn't as scary as it seems
43. When you're stressing take a minute to remember why you wanted to be a teacher. This will pull you through.
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