So, The first day of school is August 25th and I will begin teaching. This is my first day teaching ever! I mean, I have a master's degree in Education, but this is my first real classroom. I am so scared that I am just not good enough, that i will be terrible and will be fired, that the kids will not learn, etc. Does everyone have these fears? Or is it just me? I have nothing for my classroom and I do not even know how to begin compiling things, or what I should be compiling! What should I even be doing at this point? I also have asked for access to the curriculum to begin planning, but have not gotten it yet. This school is new and full of new teachers, so i am sure there will be others in my shoes, but I am still soooooooooooooooooooooooo scared. Oh well, that is enough of my ranting and raving. Thanks for listening.
You are NOT alone! You sound very similar to me. The only experience I have is from student teaching so yeah I also have a masters in education, but I am about to start freaking out! The only reason I haven't freaked so far is that I've been busy getting ready to move to another state to start teaching (STRESSFUL!!!) My car recently quit working (EXTRA STRESSFUL!) and I've been trying to finalize my new apartment arrangements. I have nothing (oh yeah, my CT met with me for lunch, we still keep in touch, and gave me a lot of posters and borders.) but other than that, nothing for my classroom. I haven't started planning any lessons or anything. I am sure I'll be freaking out extra once I actually get there this weekend. I just pray that there is ample time to get my classroom ready during planning week since I've heard there are usually a lot of meetings then. I don't know if you are like me, but I usually amplify things in my mind times 10 so that when reality actually comes, it isn't nearly as bad as I imagined. Good luck to you, well, to both of us.
I'll join you in the scared department. We start NEXT WEEK (I keep going from terrified to over excited though I may be going insane) But anyway my only teaching experience is from student teaching. At least all the teachers at my school have been really helpful. And my grade level partner (7th grade science) has helped me get lessons together because we have 0 science books and won't be having any. YIPPY. lol I had the same situation doing my student teaching we had 0 science books so I know how it works at least. Anyway don't be afraid to ask the other teachers at your school for help. It seems like they want to be helpful.
Everyone feels like that! Don't worry you will do fine! I think if you go in thinking you have it all figured out and have no fears then that is the person who should be afraid and scared. Just don't get overwhelmed or if you do seek out a co-worker you can confide in and be your support system. First year is tough because you learn as you go regardless of how much preparation done before hand! Time will go by fast though! Good Luck - Take some deep breaths and relax! And come back here anytime...that's why we are here!
You're definitely not alone! I'm in the same boat with you! I keep telling myself to take a deep breath and really take in all what is happening as I start this new chapter in my life. You only get to be a first year teacher once so I think it's really important for us to soak up all that is going on right now so when we are not first year teachers anymore, we will have a lot of memories to cherish. Freak out, but enjoy it at the same time!
I'm swinging between being excited and down right terror-filled. My first SE classroom is an Emotionally Disturbed Unit. I keep having nightmares (or daymares) where the kids sort of take over the classroom in a Lord of the Flies way.....
Thank you so much for replying! It is comforting to know that other people feel the same way as I do! I feel so alone sometimes in beginning my teaching career. Thanks again.
I fell the same way! I'm trying to prepare, but I have a lot going on in my personal life, so I have very little free time. Thank goodness my supervisor is very supportive. I've just been trying to take it day by day. Based on the advise I've been given, try to plan out your 1st week's lesson plans. Take care of making your class rules and grading policies sheets. Just try to do what you can. . . But I think the frek-out is common to all of us!
I had my first day of school yesterday... I too am a first year teacher but this year I am job sharing. I was not brought into the position until Tuesday but my partner is a returning teacher so when I went to help set up last minute things and make sure we had all necessary things done I thought certain things had been finished. Well kids show up and we are missing desks for two student. I felt like an idiot trying to move desks from another area of the classroom and gathering the materials the students needed while parents were in my room. Ugg, I should have double checked the seating. Other than that little mishap and the realization that I'll be working on some things this weekend or after school today, the day went really well. Today is round 2 with the kiddos!
I'm scared too. It will be my second year teaching, and my first year was great! I'm worried because of the kids that are coming up. I was spoiled with amazing kids last year. Not to say that there aren't some wonderful kids coming up, but there are MANY behavior problems, with one HUGE behavior problem. I know I'm going to get the huge behavior problem, so I'm scared!
Me too! I am FLIPPING out! =) I waver between being really excited and SUPER nervous. I have a meeting on Monday and officially start next week (1 day to organize my classroom... ONE day!) and then on Wednesday is the first actual day of school. I have things but I don't have things for centers... don't know what I'm going to do about them- never done them before! Also there is something in my contract that says that lessons for each quarter are due the first day of the quarter......... I have no lesson plans written nor do I know the format or anything!!! Next week I will be working my butt off.
This is my second year and I'm scared as well. I get new freshman and I have some sophomores I had as freshman and 4 sophomores that failed MY CLASS and I get again by luck of the draw (not sure if I have any repeat 9/10th from the other teacher) I'm not sure who I'm scared of more, the new 9th that we were told are horrible or that 4 kids have to go through the same stuff from last year..and have a grudge about it. We start tomorrow!!
:lol: I couldn't have said it better myself! We start Tuesday and I can't even think about it without getting sick to my stomach. I am such a procastinator and of course, have waited until now to plan my first day/week activities. Thankfully during the first week we are building community (not working on content) so there will be a lot of getting to know you activities, going over the procedures, etc. I am working with a great team of teachers, so I know I will be OK. I'm just glad to know I'm not the one only scared out of their mind!
My first day was two days ago! I was really scared, too... I couldn't even sleep the night before. I'm 23, I just graduated, I look young... I thought it would be a mess. But it went great! We didn't get much work done of course, but it was calm and the kids were good. I'm teaching in a neighborhood where most teachers don't want to be, but I'm loving it!
