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

Summer break is over, ;(

I had the last 10 days about with no obligations so I made the most of it!

I explored my neighborhood, Denver's shopping, markets, library, theatre scene, art museum, etc. Last Wednesday I went to Boulder with my friends on a hiking trip up ECAR where we hiked to what we called "Pride Rock" and enjoyed a beautiful view of Boulder and surrounding areas. Thursday I met my other sped teachers at Noel and found out I'll be teaching 8th grade and supporting reading and math. Then I drove out to Basalt, CO where Jake and Kellie Gilliland had been working and invited me out to "luxury camp" with them. Friday I went hiking with Jake and his friend Ben from college, we hiked the Maroon Bells in Aspen/Snowmass area. This was scary! But absolutely beautiful and totally worth the breathing difficulties and rock sliding we did. I had an amazing time. Saturday my friends from Minnesota were here, Andy, Rob, etc. and I met up with them at the Coors Brewery in Golden, CO. Then they came up to Denver and I took them for burgers at City Grille then to Gov's Park where we racked up a good bill of drinks. It was so nice to see them and show them my new city. 

Now I am off to Denver Public Schools Orientation and more TFA orientations next week. It's getting real! I am excited and tonight I am going to see a movie at Red Rocks with my other teacher friends from Noel. Things are good, I'm trying to stay busy and trying new things every day. I miss my family who are all in Michigan on vacation right now, but I am glad I made the most of my time off and am learning more and more about Denver. 

Lots of love, 

C

I'm finally here!

After a long week of flying, driving, moving things, lifting things and unpacking, I am finally settled in my apartment in Denver and getting acquainted with my new city! 

I left Atlanta LAST Saturday to go home to Grayslake for a short time, then my dad and I drove to Minneapolis that Sunday to pick up the rest of my stuff and a Penske moving van. I said more good byes to my room mates and my good friends up there, then Monday morning, we drove for 13 hours straight until we got to Sterling, CO. The next morning we drove 2 more hours to make it into Denver and move all of my stuff up three flights of stairs to my apartment. I'm so glad my dad survived! The altitude and heat made the move pretty intense, but it was so rewarding once it was all done. Wednesday we unpacked and got things arranged and then drove to Boulder for the afternoon, which was fun. My dad left on Thursday, and I had meetings with Teach for America that afternoon as well as Friday. 

This weekend I have just continued to unpack and get my apartment how I want it. It is very cute and it is within walking distance of the capitol, and of many cute neighborhood bars, restaurants, markets, etc. I love it, I have been exploring a little bit, hanging out with friends and today I drove down to Colorado Springs to visit Katie and I got to see the beautiful rocks at the Garden of the Gods. I am constantly in awe of how breathtaking the scenery is here all the time, and I am barely used to seeing the mountains every day I am here. It is great. This week I don't have many meetings, just errands and finishing up plans I need to take care of. I plan on visiting the art museum, the public library and the performing arts center- I have a ticket to see a play there on Sunday, which I am excited for. . 

Overall, things are good! I'll post a few pictures of my apartment and CO Springs. I am happy and going to enjoy this week of time off before I get really busy with training, orientations and preparing for my first day of school, a week from today- August 19th! 

I hope everyone comes out to visit me so I can show you all my new home. :) 

Love from out west, 

C

Done with Institute.. woop

Jalisa making ice cream 

I'll post more pictures of my students, this one is from last Thursday when Zack did his lesson on teaching technical directions and the kids made ice cream in bags. 

This past Thursday, I helped the math teachers do a graphing lines pirate scavenger hunt, which was a lot of fun. I got to be the "captain" and pass out the clues and problems to them..

Our students tested this past Tuesday and Wednesday and after that day very few of them came for the remainder of summer school. We won't know if they passed their test yet but I gave all of them my contact information to let me know if they passed. We also got all of their reading scores back, and they all reached their goals of improving 6 points on the DRA. That means they all moved up at least one grade level in reading this summer from where they started. I am very proud of them and I think they will all do very well in high school. It was hard to say good bye to them, they were excellent and helped me learn so much about teaching.. 

We had closing ceremonies last night and good-byes, slideshows, etc. today. I had to say good bye to a lot of the corps members from other places like St. Louis, Indianapolis, Miami, Atlanta... and also all of the staff we have been working with. Overall, I am relieved that institute is over. I am ready to move forward with my own students and take on all of the challenges that specifically special ed. will bring me. I am also ready to live back out in the "real world" and start my life out in Colorado. It has been a good experience out here, I have learned A TON and made many meaningful connections, but I think having this kind of stress done and out of the way, I will be much more happier and more myself. 

Flying back to Chicago in the am, then driving to Minneapolis on Sunday to collect my things, furniture, etc. Then on Monday my dad and I will start the drive out to Denver with the beetle and a truck of my stuff. It is going to be and adventure! 

Peace and happy summer things I hope you are all doing, 

C