I am surviving!

Teaching is exhausting!

I have put in many many hours before and after school planning, meeting, assessing, grading, disciplining, counseling, and I am only just finishing up my second week!

I love it, I am just a little overwhelmed at this point. I assessed all my students this week, so I know where they need to go academically, now it is just up to me to come up with good, comprehensive, interesting lesson plans for all of them. Lesson plans that are differentiated enough for all the levels of learners in my class to be successful and to be learning something. We have somewhat of a routine down for each class, I am still figuring out who needs to sit where to get along with who, etc. Discipline is not my best attribute, but I am trying to be harder now than later. There were already a few scuffles this week that I had to work out, but I think things can only get better...

On top of teaching and lesson planning, I have had TFA and TILA classes this week. This is my teaching license class and professional development through TFA. Having these in the evenings makes for LONG days... but, since it is just beginning, I am getting into a good routine where I feel good. Some musts are: yoga, going to bed by 11 every night and making one phone call to a friend or family member a day. Hopefully this weekend I can do some socializing, something fun instead of just school work...

Thanks for all the love and support in these first few days.. .I'm doing well. :)

C

Here's a sneak peek of my classroom... still need more student work up..

Exhausted. whew.

First weekend of the school year and I am wiped out! I spent my Saturday cleaning my apartment and trying to get my life a little more organized before the school year kicks off into a whirlwind.

The first three days were great! I love my students, and I think they like me- they may think I am crazy because I made them move the desks and move around the room on the first day, but I was excited to start off by using "ice breaker" theatre activities to get to know each other. I have the same 17 8th graders 1st and 5th period, then I help them in their math class, and then 8th and 9th period I have about 20 6th graders in each of those classes. They are spectacular, excited to be at school and I am excited to teach them and get to know them better.

Middle school students are so funny in the things they talk about and care about. And there is a HUGE difference between 6th graders and graders, socially, developmentally, etc. Unfortunately some of my 6th graders are at higher reading levels then my 8th graders. . . I gave spelling and fluency tests to all of them on Friday and just looking over them I can see that there is a lot of work to do.

Teaching is going to be challenging in a lot of ways. In top of lesson planning, making copies, etc for class every day, there are tons of meetings, IEP meetings, meetings with other teachers, planning, etc. On top of even that, I have my graduate class every Thursday evening, homework for that class, TFA obligations, and trying to keep together a social life. I went to the Rockies game last night with Jeff and Mike who were visiting and another friend from high school. There were TFA people out too, and we went out to the bars last night. Today I have been just exhausted so tomorrow I have grand plans to sit at the laundromat all day and get papers graded and myself super organized for the week ahead.

That's it! Stay tuned.......

C

Finally the big day!

After all the weeks of prep, tomorrow I get 6th graders! (I think!)

It has been an intense week, but I have settled into Rachel B. Noel Middle School, sort of found my way around and also met a lot of the staff at the school. So far, so good. I am very busy and have a lot on my plate between teaching 4 sections of literacy for 6th and 8th graders, and then going into 2 sections of math to support as an inclusion teacher. Many of the other teachers have been very helpful and given me posters and supplies for my classroom. I will take and post pictures tomorrow- today I was at school until the principal left! So I have been putting a lot of time in, but I want to be prepared! And even though I don't feel quite ready, I think seeing the students and getting them into the school, things will all feel mush more natural and exciting. . .

Otherwise, I have been having some fun and doing other things. I started my licensure program last weekend- it is called TILA and I will go every Thursday night and one Saturday a month. It seems like it won't be too difficult and pretty comprehensive, helpful towards my teaching and working in a school. I've also attended many trainings for the the district and school. Otherwise, last weekend some girls and I found some fun bars near my apartment, and then on Saturday I went out to Breckenridge to the Eriksson family's condo out there. We went on a big hike on Sunday and then enjoyed the hot tub they have at their complex and it was just the escape I needed for the day.. Jeff and Mike are coming back on Friday to go to the Rockies game and go out in Denver. It's so nice to see friends from home!

Wish me something- here goes to teaching!!!

Peace-

C

Almost there update!

In the last few weeks I've been in and out of trainings and meetings. This week is my first official, paid week. I have sped trainings and I will be going to my school every day. Things are going well, I think? I haven't really gotten too much information yet about exactly what my day/schedule is going to look like, but I have met some people, seen my classroom and gotten myself somewhat organized. That's about all on the teaching front!

Otherwise, I have been enjoying Denver on a cheap budget. We got cheap seats for the Cubs/Rockies game this past Saturday and Sunday and had a lot of fun at Coors Field. Also I have been to Red Rocks to see the film on the rocks- the first week was Indiana Jones and the second week was Ghostbusters (ironically enough because they say that Red Rocks is haunted!) I am enjoying living out here so far, but I think I will be much happier once I get into a normal routine of going to work, coming home, repeat. I had a fun breakfast party for some friends at my apartment last week and also went hiking again last weekend at Golden Gate Canyon park. I also joined a yoga studio close to my apartment, and I am really enjoying going to classes as much as I can to relax and stay in shape. I am loving the teacher friends I have out here and I am looking forward to having some visitors come this fall.

I started a new blog that has more things that I am interested in, pictures, links, teaching things, it is a bit easier to use and upload things onto- so if you are interested here is my tumblr link. Feel free to check it out, I may update that more than this one because this one requires more typing and time! (which I am going to run out of here shortly.. ) Enjoy!

http://sweeetcaroline16.tumblr.com/

Peace-

C