So everyone is starting, or about to start a new school year in my area. What is something that is better this year than last, and what is something you miss from last year?
We've been in school for two weeks now, so I'm starting to get a feel for how the year might go. I like the group(s) of kids I have this year better than last, as some of the more frustrating behavior problems have moved on. I generally had a good handle on them, but it was still stressful to have to watch kids like a hawk more than I'd prefer. As for something I will miss... probably one of my colleagues. We had a teacher in my hallway leave the district (she took another position that was much better paying, so I understood) and we had team-taught together, and worked together for 5 years now. We actually started in the district at the same time, so it's a bit sad to not see her in the halls and around the building, but oh well... people have to do what's best for themselves.
Good: I am only teaching math and science so I can really focus on those areas. Bad: I really miss some of last years kiddos. We did a modified looping with that group so I had most of them for two years. They have moved on to middle school now so I hope they are all transitioning well!
Good: New administration that is doing a great job so far. I had a principal that was unapologetic about being unfriendly towards his staff. The new principal is very outgoing and seems to take a genuine interest in everyone that works there. Bad: I moved grades and I miss the grade I taught last year.
Good: new position, district, everything. Bad: I miss my old district...friends and students alike. I was there for several years.
Good: new grade, students are MUCH more self-sufficient! Bad: new grade - I miss my comfort level with my "old" curriculum! Lesson planning time is panic time for me right now! Oh, and super-good: I am teaching some of the same students I had 2 years ago in first grade!
Good: AP was promoted as our new Principal. She immediately painted some parts of the school, thanked teachers with breakfasts, and cut the annoying admin emails down by at least 80%. The whole culture feels much more teacher friendly. Bad: I looped with my class and one of my students is having a rough time already. She had some issues over the summer. I am worried about her socially and emotionally. (And, frankly, academically if she keeps all this drama up!)
Good: I got a job! My first year of teaching has begun Not-so-good: I'm having a hard time staying on top of everything! I feel so easily distracted during the little time I do have to plan and organize
Good: At a new school that actually cares about the students. My students are great and ready to learn (even those who struggle!). I love the grade I'm in (and the content I get to help students learn). Bad: Huge pay cut. It's worth it for the quality of life though. I'm sooo much more relaxed this year than last.
We've been in school for two days. Good: I seem to have a great group of kids this year. We have a brand new building and it's BEAUTIFUL and amazing. I work with truly AMAZING people - like a big family that watches out for each other. As a second year teacher, I feel so much more comfortable and a part of things. My very difficult student from last year (who has a one on one aide) is doing GREAT with his new teacher so far and I am thrilled to see him flourishing, especially since transitions are usually tough for him. Bad: I *REALLY* miss my class from last year! I see them in the hallway and get so sad. People tell me it's because the first class is just really special. But I think it's also because these new first graders are so LITTLE and immature. Was last year's class really like this at the beginning of the year? (I know they were - but I can't remember that time! lol) I just miss having that "family" feeling that I had with my former class. I know it takes time to build that, but it's hard to remember from last year - I must have blocked it out! The new building is not complete, and I am really hoping to have some things like bulletin boards and cabinet doors....a cafeteria and playground so we don't have to have indoor lunch and recess every day... ...but I know it's worth it - I keep telling myself that!
Good--beautiful new building, great class, supportive administration, and thrilled to be teaching all subjects to my students (except for Music, French and Phys Ed) Bad--some of the unfinished construction is a bit of a frustration. The window that is supposed to be beside my door hasn't been installed yet, so I have a big open space. I'm trying to be "light" about it, but when it's noisy in the hall, there's no way to filter it. I'm also going to have a challenge with a couple of colleagues--both who know everything about everything and quite vocal about letting all the rest of us know it. Sigh...at least they are both at the other end of the hall!
The good: While we're only on day #4, it looks as though I have a wonderful group of kids this year! The not as good: I really miss teaching geometry! Algebra is OK, but I LOVE geometry. Ah well, maybe next year?
Today (Fri.) ends my 3rd week. Overall, I like my new school better. Good: - The MANY, MANY less students I have due to the very low student population - Overall, I like the HS kids I work w/ for the most part. I like being able to talk with them about life sometimes & hopefully be some kind of inspiration. - I work w/ kids only 1:1 or 2:1 - Very laid back environment & people - My work schedule now is even better than before & before was great w/ Mondays off - I'm considered self-employed for half of my work schedule, so I can leave when my work is done, which is often earlier than 2:30pm. - If I needed to take a day or 2 (or even a week off), I could & those days aren't documented because I don't have a set # of sick/personal days to begin with. Bad: - Commute is longer...a good 45-50 min. 1-way...due to traffic though - I won't have my own room yet until later this month - No direct deposit of paychecks - Kids are not the usual types one would encounter in a regular public school. Some have been arrested, kicked out of their other home school due to too many delinquincies, &/or live in some kind of group home. Think the students from the movie Dangerous Minds. - Some of these kids have no desire/plan whatsoever to attend college, which in my opinion isn't a good thing. However, I know everyone's not meant to attend college, so hopefully the ones who do not have the skills to succeed in life.
Good: I don't have any new preps, so I'm familiar with everything I'm teaching. Bad: This year I only have a planning period every other day, and I have about 90 more students this year than last year. I'm having to bring much more work home.
Good- No new preps and I got each prep on a different day. So all WH2 on one day and all US history on the next. Bad- The ONE student I had last year who nearly broke my spirit. The ONE student that I knew I would cry over having in my class again was just moved to my last block US History class. I'm already having nightmares. But the other 175 students seem fine.
I certainly don't mean to say that special ed kids themselves are bad. I'm saying that it's a special ed school, & therefore _(more so the SAD part).____ Regarding the previous statement, I know everyone isn't meant to attend college. Everyone is an individual with their own special skills to hhopefully succeed in life.
I feel you on that. Last year I had 3 geos and 2 alg 2s. This year it is 4 alg 2s and only 1 geo---it's still something, but it is kind of annoying prepping for just that 1 period.
Good - I'm really enjoying 9th graders, whom I've never taught outside of subbing. They have such a fresh outlook on the world! Bad - Not really bad, but I miss my 12th grade teaching team. We were very close and I just don't hear from them as much as I used to.
Good: Everything! I'm much better at classroom management, my start to the year is WAY smoother than it was last year (regarding that I actually know what I'm doing), and I'm covering things that I felt were important to cover at the beginning of the year that I didn't last year (things like mindset, and the roadblocks to learning science). The students are all very eager, and I've already pinpointed the students that might be challenges for me and built really strong relationships with them without lowering my expectations for them. Things in general are just going much smoother this year for me and my instruction is far more engaging, even on subjects that don't involve fire or science demos. Bad: We are missing some great teachers from last year. Teachers who really made the culture of the school and who were great mentors to me.
Good: new school, new P. My kids are performing well with staying focus and going through small groups. Bad: I miss some of my old kiddos. I got them in pre-k and they stayed for K. So many of them knew my routines. I have a new group... and I forgot how much work it is to get them into my routine. Figuring out the idea of centers... I was Montessori.
Good: It seems that my new administration is completely sane, and there is a nice school culture/very welcoming staff. I'm getting along really well with my team so far. The difference in behavior from my last school is absolutely amazing so far- probably because admin actually supports it. Bad: I have a HUGE caseload. I also still miss my team from last year- even thought my knew team is great I don't think I'll ever have what I did with my old team anywhere else. Hopefully I can get them out of there and over to my new district, lol! Seriously though, I'm thankful every day for this job and that I don't have to go back to the hell that was last year's school. When people complain about little annoyances I want to say, "You don't know how great you have it here!"
Good: I love having my classroom upstairs by my teammates. Bad: I miss my old class. I don't like the beginning of the year, and getting into the new routines.
Good: I love teaching. Bad: My team hates teaching- not the kids, but all the other stuff. It's hard to be around negativity all the time.
I don't have my first day of with kids until Monday...but so far... Good: New co-teacher. We get along great, we're friends and she's amazing at what she does so I know it's going to be a good year. Bad: New evaluation system tied to still new and challenging state tests on top of getting tenured this year = it's going to get stressful fast!
