First Day News

WOW. What a blur... Today (the first day of school) was quite a day. For the kids it's a day of hearing lots of information. For me it's a day of talking a lot. We kept our homebase (homeroom) kids all day long. I was okay with that because I have a pretty good group. Maybe it's just that they are scared right now. On the other hand not all of them are scared because I had some really good talks with some of them today. The kids didn't get schedules today because they are not finished scheduling. No schedules=no connections. I am thankful the connections teachers did step in my class and give me a bathroom break though. I did not realize how much I like being in my classroom during planning until I couldn't really go in there. My kiddos were great on their first day though. They asked some really good questions and I felt like they understood what I was talking about. Things kept coming out and one procedure segued into another topic or question. I felt like it went smoothly. I even had a chance to go over their names in my head so I would remember them. Through the day we read, took a tour of the building, went to the lunchroom for a short talk, did an interest inventory, read some of the agenda, made name plates for their desks, did two mock fire drills, and asked/answered lots of questions. During the day I got to see some more of my former students and wave or hug them. They got so excited! Even T.B. (initials used for privacy), one of my behavior problems said hey to me as I walked into the building and as he left the building. I didn't come home until 6 pm. I wrote all the lesson plans for the 6th grade math teachers and wrote a team letter before I came home. At the end of the day I waved to them as they rode away on their buses. I was drained, my back hurt and I had a headache but hey it was a successful day!!!! I have stories to tell. 

One more thought: I am most drained probably because of other reasons though. I say this with caution. I know what it feels like to be a new teacher. I know I loved when people explained things to me so I didn't have to figure them out on my own. I don't know what I said the first day last year, but somehow I got through it. Today I tried to give a list of things to do on the first day (my one from last year) and help others when needed. However, I got "yelled" at because I was trying to help one of the new teachers figure out what we were doing. Some of the information is given but never explained, and many of our new teachers are confused. I was trying to explain something further and I was snapped at. From then on I was frustrated. I snapped (not like me at all). I said, "I'm sorry, but I was just trying to finish the conversation with my team member because she didn't understand what you said. This needed to be discussed before the discussion moves on." I was just treated like a two year old and overlooked, but I was proud I said something I never thought I had in me. It's pretty frustrating because I was just looking after the newbies. I need to make sure I hold my tongue and not lash out if things like this continue to happen though because then that's when things get taken out of proportion. Needless to say, that put some strain on me. After all of that at the end of the day Mr. Gibbs, our science teacher, said that I am going to be his second mentor (Guillebeau is his real mentor). I am glad he feels comfortable coming to ask me questions. I am trying to take on more this year to take stress off of Brandi since she's pregnant. (Sometimes I'll call her Pelphrey). I don't want her to take the load, and it will prepare me for when she is on maternity leave (2 newbies, a long-term sub, and me). Our team did really well today and all the new teachers did an incredible job. I am really proud of them. Enough for now, I need to rest my eyes.