School starts in ONE week

As the young folks say, “OMG.”

My youngest daughter and I spent the morning and the better part of this afternoon slogging away in the classroom.  Mostly, I think, so I can avoid thinking about lesson planning.  I am only a little ashamed to say I am terrified.  There is so much to think about, it is overwhelming.  There are so many questions:

How do I organize the day?

What is most important to teach?

Will I be able to establish myself as the authority?

What if the kids act in terrible ways?

Will I fail?

Ay yi yi.  I love my job, but the week before school starts is NOT a happy time.  For me AND the students, I imagine! 

I have three days of new teacher orientation this week.  I hope it’s helpful and not a waste of time cuz I have so much left to do.  Did I mention school starts in ONE week?!?!?!?!?

Teacher Prep

Before and After photos of my classroom.  I did this last year and I liked it, so I’m doing it again this year.

Teacher desk before

Teacher desk after

Computer area before

Computer area after

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading area before

Reading area after

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I spent three days last week in a National Urban Alliance Conference.  It was really inspiring.  I checked on their website and they say that their mission is “to substantiate in the public schools of urban America an irrefutable belief in the capacity of all children to reach the highest levels of learning & thinking demanded by our ever-changing global community.”  Don’t you LOVE that?  I do.

Basically we participated in the workshop and sat at the feet of phenomenal educators who modeled great teaching practices for us.  I’m so inspired after this workshop.  Our instructors focused on learning & teaching.  Again, following the NUA language, they said, “We build toward high intellectual performance through students’ culture, language, and cognition.”  They defined “culture” as anything or anyone that gives meaning to a person’s life.  I like that a lot and am planning on using it on the first day of classes.

I’m still very excited and nervous about this job.  I’ve been so grateful for my colleages.  They have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel part of the team.  I think it will definitely be an interesting year and I will learn a LOT.