First year Teacher.
7th Grade Science.
Crazy cat lady.
Christ follower.
I also like basketball and Lil Wayne.
hit counter
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Forensics Unit
Just ordered fingerprinting powder and brushes! I’ve got several awesome blood splatter, teeth mark, tire mark, K9, and identifying powders labs lined up too. We are going to have fun with science until the end of the year if it’s the last thing I do!
*screams due to pent up aggression over standardized testing*
1:1 Technology Grant Update
Ok guys, this is real life. The winners have been announced, and we are one of them. Yesterday one of our administrators attended the meeting where she learned a little more about how this is going to look, and today the information was passed along to us.
We’re getting a full time tech person. (We only have part time now.)
We’re getting a full time technology in education person. Their job will be all about helping use the technology effectively in the classroom. They’ll be like our mentors and masters (We have teachers that only teach 2 classes and spend the rest of their time doing support and leading PLCs.)
There will be 50-100 stipends for people in the county who would like to take on additional responsibility in various ways related to the technology.
Of the 10 chosen schools, only 4 are receiving a device for every kid and every teacher. (The others get class sets or are doing 1 grade.) WE ARE ONE OF THOSE FOUR!
We’re going to get a laptop/tablet hybrid. Currently choosing between:
- Dell XPS 12
- Dell XT3
- MacBook Air
- Aus Taichi
- Lenovo Thinkpad Two
Two weeks of training this summer.
Not sure what kind of software we’re going to be using on the computers to make them educationally friendly (ability to freeze screens, block websites, locate the device, etc).
Oh and did I mention that I was personally asked to be on the Steering Committee next year to help plan how we’re going to roll this out effectively. (The district wants every teacher using these babies effectively by the end of the year.) YEAH, ME. A FIRST YEAR TEACHER!
I’ll keep you all updated. I am incredibly excited to tackle this beast.
So my school was chosen as finalists for the “Personal Device for Every Student” grant! We’re in the top 15, and we have to give a presentation on Thursday. 9 will be chosen!
WANT WANT WANT
SNOW DAY TOMORROW!
The feeling of going from extreme stress due to insurmountable work load to extreme relief and relaxation due to 3 days to complete said work load all in one instant was a rather cathartic experience.
Good news!(?)
Today I was asked into the principal’s office. I was so nervous, but he asked me if I’d like to teach math or science next year.
I HAVE A JOB NEXT YEAR!!!!
Should I switch to math? I’m hesitant to start all over again on a new curriculum and subject, but I think I like math better. But there is also more pressure there.
Any advice??? (It’s 7th grade.)
Nothing like a parent email that says “Does another teacher have a science class this period? Because [I think you suck]”
I paraphrased.
Student 1: Ms. H, I ain't even doing this worksheet. This is dumb.
Student 2: Don't you talk to my teacher like that!
Fashionable teacher: Casual Friday edition!
Shirt: New York and Company. They give a Teacher’s discount!
Pants: PacSun
Necklace: super special to me. It’s the first ring my grandfather bought my grandmother made into a necklace
Disillusionment Phase
After six to eight weeks of nonstop work and stress, new teachers enter the disillusionment phase. The intensity and length of the phase varies among new teachers. The extensive time commitment, the realization that things are probably not going as smoothly as they want, and low morale contribute to this period of disenchantment. New teachers begin questioning both their commitment and their competence. Many new teachers get sick during this phase.Compounding an already difficult situation is the fact that new teachers are confronted with several new events during this time frame. They are faced with back-to-school night, parent conferences, and their first formal evaluation by the site administrator. Each of these important milestones places an already vulnerable individual in a very stressful situation.
During the disillusionment phase, classroom management is a major source of distress. New teachers want to focus more time on curriculum and less on classroom management and discipline.
At this point, the accumulated stress of the first year teachers, coupled with months of excessive time allotted to teaching, often bring complaints from family and friends. This is a very difficult and challenging phase for new entrants into the profession. They express self-doubt, have lower self-esteem, and question their profession commitment. In fact, getting through this phase may be the toughest challenge new teachers face.
Just got to hold out until winter break…and then March…
This is the biggest GPOY right now.
It doesn’t help that my classroom climate has COMPLETELY changed in the past two weeks. I’ve been moved to a new room, given six new students from other classrooms in the building, AND I got a new student this morning.
I’m ready to hibernate for the winter. Anyone else with me?
THIS IS MY LIFE! Is the y axis supposed to be enthusiasm? Or energy? Either way, it’s me.
Shirt and cardigan: Target
Pants: Rugged Wearhouse (originally Express)
Shoes: DSW
Can’t wait to see everyone else’s!
That being said,
Today I officially marked “Holding back tears in front of a class full of vicious 7th graders” off my bucket list. And I thought yesterday was bad!
But I did not cry. I will not cry. I will begin drinking wine at 4:30, and I will greet each of them with a smile tomorrow.
And a worksheet. Because I’m not standing up there just to be ignored, interrupted, and humiliated again. Time to regroup.
Also, I want more tattoos and I’m not sure if this is appropriate for a teacher or if I’ll regret it later in life.. Ugh.
I’m about to lose followers.
I’m not really sure where this post is going, but one thing is for sure. Since I’ve started teaching I have only realized one thing: “I cannot do this.” The truth is, I really don’t think I can do it. Luckily for me, I am not alone.
Verse for the day:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
I seriously want to cry. I don’t have to do it all. At the end of the day, I can know that I did my best and that God is going to take care of the rest. I don’t have to stress. I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is let Him.
I believe that I am a missionary now. I am not living for myself, but for the 125 children that I see everyday. I wake up thinking about them. I go to bed thinking about them.
I certainly take up my cross daily. Every morning at 5:30AM I deny myself, and I face my biggest challenge. The thing that has made me feel the most insignificant. The weakest. The least prepared. The most inadequate. I do it for them. I need to remember that I am also doing it for Him.
“God will never be handcuffed by your failure or unleashed by successes.” - Jon Acuff
No matter how horrible I am at this (which I feel like I must be awful), God really doesn’t need me. He’s allowing me to play a part in what he’s doing.
This is the hardest year of my life. How I react is my character, and I will not let this overwhelm me.
Like I think if someone came up to me and said, “I know this is really hard, but I’m so proud of you for stepping up to the challenge. You’re doing really well.”
I’d probably cry and cry and not even be able to talk because I would just be so happy that someone noticed how hard I’m trying.
Someone at my school who sees me you know? Like one of the same people who usually tell me what else I should be doing.
