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.