Teaching

As I sit here tonight, looking up ideas for teaching spelling, I am in a word-OVERWHELMED! I know it is probably the craziest thing, to think of it being summer and I am spending my evening looking up spelling information. Here is the problem-I get to thinking about it and how I want to find out some more information. So I go see if I can find anything on the Internet-which leads me to about 1,000 different places and down so many roads. For someone whose mind can go crazy thinking about the endless possibilities of teaching, this is not a good thing. I end up about losing my mind!

I commented to Adam, "Trying to do well in your profession can be so exhausting." I don't wish that I had another profession. I don't wish I taught somewhere else. I don't wish anything other than that my mind would not take off like an Indy car when I think about one thing I want to improve in the upcoming year.

Donors Are Amazing!

Yesterday I received notice that something amazing had happened. Well some background info first...

This past October, I went to a website called DonorsChoose.org. This is a website where teachers can go and create "projects." This basically consists of typing up a report on what I am wanting to implement in my classroom and picking out the materials to do so. I went on the website and saw a bazillion awesome projects that teachers have. There was so much! Intimidated by what felt like a long shot, I went ahead and created a project. I asked for over $300 worth of books on c.d.'s. There are 12 books, each with it's own c.d. These are books I am particularly excited about, as some of my students would like to read some of the books, but cannot because of their lower reading level. Anyway, donors from all over can go on and find projects that they want to donate to. They just find the project and give any amount of money they wish to it.

So, the best part...I got an email saying my project had been funded! I could not believe it! $300 worth of listening supplies are on their way, FREE to me. They are mine to keep! Is it not incredible?! The other thing that got me is that 3 or 4 of the donors were not even from the state! One was a big cellular company, others were individuals.

Not only is this exciting for me because I get new supplies, but more so that it shows people really do care. I think people want to help out financially-they just need to know that they are going to really be a part of something real and something that makes a difference. It's great for people to not be bashing education, but supporting it- and with more than just their words. And one of the best parts is there is a thank you package my students and I get to do that they'll send to the donors-I am looking forward to us personally getting to say thanks for what they've done.

This was so life-changing to me that I have told everyone. And I have started another project. This time I am asking for educational Literacy games. Oh yeah, there are a ton for math! But are there any fun games to help you practice multiple-meaning words? Oh yes, I found some-and hopefully that project will be funded soon!

Good News!

  After many weeks of waiting and back and forth, I finally found out that my certification issue is going to be worked out.  Many of you  may know that I was in the process of adding something on my GA certificate to my TN certificate.  It was taking a long time and my start day for school is getting closer and closer (I start this Monday, the 26th).  I was getting so nervous that I would not even be able to teach on Monday.

    I talked with an AWESOME lady at Hamilton County Human Resources and she was helping me figure out the different avenues we could take.  However, we did not have to try and go another route, because we received word that my add-on was approved!

   This is such a relief!  I have been down at school for the past two weeks, getting ready for the job I was not really even sure would work out for me to be able to take. I am glad it all worked out!  So, now all I need is Monday to get here.

Shadowing

  This past week, I spent Tuesday-Friday at my new school. I was shadowing the current teacher just to get an idea of how things go around there and all. I am so excited to be there!!!  I got to kind of chill out in the back, take some notes, think of some things I would like to do the same and different, and I even got to do a little planning for when we come back from Fall Break.  

  I was very nervous about what 5th graders would be like-I have never taught them. The highest I have ever taught is 2nd grade.  In fact, I was so nervous about them, that I seriously debated even taking the job at first.  If it wasn't for my husband's encouragement and sheer excitement, I might have wussed out.  But he had so much faith in me and how much I would love the job that I decided to trust his judgement and go for it. And let me say...I LOVE IT!  Fifth grade is not scary at all! In fact, I love it because I can talk to them, joke around, and feel like they can handle more stuff.  

 

  I was debating about changing the room around-ya know, rearranging, taking down some stuff, adding some stuff, etc.  The teacher there before me was very encouraging about that. She told me she pretty much expected that I would change it.  She understood that I needed to "make it my own" and do what is best for me.  That was helpful.  And also, I think the kids can handle it.  They aren't Kindergartners that flip out if you move a basket of books.  So I'm happy about that part.

  Not only do I love the kids, but the staff has been SO great.  They have made a point to welcome me, introduce themselves and help me when needed. I don't feel like an outsider as I have in the past in new positions.  I like the feeling of being welcomed.  I am excited to already be meeting some awesome people-an even some people who,as it turns out, new me as a kid. Crazy!

  Now for the problem....In Tennessee, 5th grade is considered Middle School as far as certification goes.  In TN, I am only certified Pre-K-4.  While I taught in GA, I got a middle school certification added to my existing certification. However, I never got it added to my TN license.  And now I am racing the clock to get it added in time for me to officially start on October 26th.  I received word Thursday that all of my paperwork had made it to Nashville (that is where TN Teacher Licensing is located) and was just waiting for approval, assuming it is approved. So currently, my fate rests in the hand of a guy named Brandon in Nashville.  He is the one who decides if they will add my middle school certification to my TN license.  If he says yes, it's all good. But if he says no, I cannot keep this position.  I am on pins and needles, waiting to hear the answer. I of course hope he says yes because I am LOVING this position already and do not want to lose it!

   

Back to school...

 Although "Back to School" time happens for most people in August, mine is beginning this year in October.  I kind of like the change up. :o)

  Tomorrow I kind of officially/unofficially start my new job. Although, the class is not mine until after Fall Break (the 26th), I will be going in for the rest of this week to kind of "shadow" the teacher that is there now.  This way I can kind of get to know the routine and how things are done.  

  I am excited of course, but also nervous.  I hate being "the new kid."  I much prefer getting settled in and just knowing what to do.  I am sure everyone does.  I am looking forward to this new adventure, where I think  I will be very happy, but beginning is always the hardest part.

  As I do every year though, I will breathe deep, listen to some "Billie Jean" on the way to school to get pumped up and walk in like I know exactly what is going on!

Today's Interviews

   So today was the day of my two teaching interviews. I was very excited for today's events. I had a Kindergarten and 5th grade interview at two different places.  I went in being much more excited about the 5th grade than the K position, but I left just the opposite. I am really hoping now to get that Kindergarten position. 

   When I first moved to teaching second grade, it was because I felt that the Kindergartners were just a little too small for me.  However, I have recently had a change of heart. Not that I would mind teaching the older ones-there are great things about that too.  But things with the small ones are just so basic. And I love that. Letter sounds, numbers, color words. So much fun!

   I think the bottom line is that I will be ok with any grade I should get at this point. I would, however, be extra excited if the Kinder position was granted to me.  I loved the school. It was beautiful and the both the principal and assistant principal were so nice!    I am not sure when they are supposed to be making their choices, but I hope it is soon. Waiting isn't exactly my forte!

New beginnings...in the middle

It has been a crazy past two days. Amazing the craziness that can go on in such little time! I will not go into the whole story, but there were a couple of happenings that went on to make me consider going back to teaching for real. Not bad happenings. Just happenings. So, I decided to just nonchalantly look into it, which resulted in my applying for a job, which ended up in my grandfather mentioning that the principal at the school is a good friend of his, which lead to him telling me he would talk to her when he is down there tomorrow for a ceremony! In one day, I am back on track for teaching. Literally not even 24 hours.
Of course, this is not to say that the decision has been made. Merely that I am seriously considering it. My biggest "hurdle", or fear, was that my dad would be upset. It was hard to say something to him. I was excited to somewhat "fit in" to his world and admitting that things in my life made me no longer fit in was hard. I was scared he would talk to me like a boss and tell me that I was crazy for wanting to leave this world of new found freedom. I was afraid there would be disappointed mostly. But it was amazing. He recieved my concerns with openess and understanding. He encouraged me to search to find what I needed to do, whether is be teaching or something else. I could not have been more relieved! It was so great to have him support what I was thinking and feeling.
And so here I am..at a crossroads. I am waiting to see how the application to the school pans out-it may be that I end up there or I may not. I am nervous for the outcome.