Updates

First let me just give a big cyber hug () to Jeff for clearing up those name issues for my fellow readers...Jeff you got every pronunciation right...how did you do in one minute what took me four days and three embarrassing moments to get right???

Tonight was a sad night. One of my student's mom passed away on Wednesday, but she still came to school on Thursday and Friday (the student, not the mom) she must have taken my syllabus very literally under the attendance section where I wrote "Come to class EVERYDAY. You are a valuable member of our class and we need you here." Next year I'll need to give specific examples of what constitutes an "excused" absence. Since she made the effort to be in school, I thought it only appropriate to attend the wake. So sad. I will be keeping my eye out for her this year, to help her make it through.

Here is a brief updated list of what has happened in my life over the brief summer hiatus...

• husband and wife agree to "try to sell our house and see what happens"
• place FOR SALE sign in yard
• first people on first day make offer we want
• we are homeless
• find similar home six days later, closer to work, with pool and hot-tub for substantially less than the price of former home
• buy new home
• move in with mom and dad for 3 glorious weeks
• write thesis in make-shift office of folding tables and overcrowded townhouse
• lay out in pool for one whole hour all by myself
• move into new house just in time to start new job
• back to blogging

It's All About the Names

I think I have got down a good 70% of my students names...and they're not easy...I have six Jessicas, two Stephanies, and two Codys. I have one of each of the following Shunita, Karam, Antwonicqua, Shaquila, Shaneikwa, an Naajee. Don't ask for the pronouncations...I'm still working on that myself.

I am settling in and starting to feel comfortable, overwhelmed, but comfortable none the less. Wanting so bad to be "the best teacher" and teach the students revelant information, I struggle with lessons and planning, wanting only to bring to them the absolute perfect lessons that will spark their ambition and cause them to probe deeper and further...

Today I read them two stories Sel Silversteins The Giving Tree and Spencer Johnson's The Precious Present. Then we compared and contrasted the two. It was really good and the students seemed to really grasp onto the concepts.

One other final thought, as I peer over the pile of highlighters and post-it notes that my students had on their supply list, next year I will give each class different supplies to bring, as I am pleasantly amazed at those who broght in extras.

Second Day Jitterbug

Well, the kiddies will be walking into my classroom in approximately 15 minutes. I think I'm ready. I think I know what to do, but there it is again...that nervous hazy feeling in my gut. Yes, I am new to this, but I was here all last year doing the same thing. I have soft music on and am hoping that venting this out will calm my psyche down just a tad...note to self, next year skip the large expresso one the first day!

It was a rough night last night. Kayla did not want to go to sleep, then she was at the side of my bed, doe eyed at 3am. I was supposed to get up and go work out...a fantastic DAY ONE...that never happened...so here I am...here's to a FABLOUS FIRST DAY!!!!!

First Day Jitters

What a summer it has been. I don't even know where to start. I don't even know if there is anybody out there that still reads my blog it has been so long since that last post. So many changes and things have taken place, but the biggest one is the new job which I start in aproximately seven hours from now.

One of the reasons I am feeling so overwhelmed right now is all the fears that are running through my head, will I be a good teacher? Will I have the right answers? Will I make it through this? I sure these are completly normal feelings, esp. at midnight the night before I start, but still in the back of my mind I can't help but wonder.

My goal for this blog is going to change. I think, rather than use it as a "creative outlet" for my growing writing skills, I am going to use it as a "My First Year as a Teacher Journal"...since I don't think anyone reads my blog anymore, no one will probably notice anyways.

Today, I will remember the first day of school. The anticipation. The expectation. The walk through the parking lot at 11pm and seeing only one other lonely care. The excitement setting up my room. The wondering what my kids are going to be like. Today I will remember these things.