I haven’t been posting weekly updates about teaching this year simply because I am so busy that I am doing good just to blog regularly in the first place!
I just finished my fourth week of this new school year, and I am having a blast!
I feel like I’m finally comfortable in my room and with the procedures I’ve set up. I think my students are too.
Of course, with the comfortable nature of things comes a testing of the waters.
Yes, some of these students are trying to test the boundaries…checking to see how consistent I’m going to be…how much they can bend the rules.
I think I surprised them I bit.
I toughened up.
In fact, when two of my classes couldn’t seem to follow the procedure of coming in quietly, beginning the bellwork on the board, and then reading the books in their folders, I marched them out into the hallway to practice coming in properly.
One of my classes had to do this exercise twice.
I plan on doing this as many times as necessary to get my students to understand that it’s going to be the same procedure now and at the end of the year. They just don’t seem to realize that every minute I spend trying to quiet them down is a minute wasted in my teaching time.
Yep. I’m tough.
Yet, I’m still building relationships with these precious children. They are beginning to trust me. Students who act up in other classes are on their best behavior in my class, rising to meet my expectations. I’m so proud of them!
I’m trying to show my students that I care about them as individuals…not merely as reading students…by attending football games in which they play or cheer in. I’m seeing kids in the stands, and they’re sitting down and talking to me. Kids need to know that they are loved. They need to know that they are listened to. A teacher’s job doesn’t end when the bell rings. I knew this last year, but I’m really doing it this year.
I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am at this new school of mine. The teachers are very supportive, as is the administration. As a new teacher in the district, I have to go through an induction program. I’ve got a mentor teacher. She’s based at my school, and she and I talk nearly every day. She came into my classroom last week and modeled Think-Pair-Share, a discussion strategy that engages all students in discussion and validates their opinions. My mentor has already been a huge support to me, and the things I’ve implemented based on her suggestions have worked!
I told the Mr. the other day that I feel like I’m where I belong. Though Rooster attends a high school across town, and I’ve been a part of that school for six years, I feel like I am at home at my new school. I don’t feel stressed when I make a mistake because the people I work with have told me that teaching is an occupation where you grow and learn more each year. I’m not expected to do everything perfectly…especially in this, my second “first” year of teaching.
What a relief!
To help me be a better teacher, I’m getting professional training. I’ve got subs coming one day each of the next two weeks. I’ll also be out four days next month so that I can attend training.
I am thrilled beyond belief. I want to do everything I can to be the best teacher I can be to my students. They will be the ones who benefit in the end.
So, week five will begin tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what this next month brings!
AuburnChick's Adventures 
Oh yeah, those little darlings will test and push until they see that you mean business. Some teachers just don’t understand that kids actually WANT boundaries and rules – it makes them more secure in the classroom.
Glad to hear that you are doing well. Keep up the good work.
Have a good week.
Auburnchick….I’m so excited for you! You are doing an awesome job and any teacher that realizes the need for professional growth is “top notch” in my book. I can hardly wait until it’s my turn to attend these training conferences…b/c I, too, want to be the very best I can be!!!:) Hope you have an awesome 5th week!