Tomorrow I was supposed to be taking over the entire morning at school.
Just my luck, the school closed for tomorrow because of the terrible weather we've been having here. I guess you could call it a "snow day" even though there is no snow. So I guess I will be taking control on Tuesday. I am excited. The part I am most nervous about is actually writing notes home in response to parent notes recieved in the morning. I know my mentor teacher will help me a ton, but surprisingly that is something that is making me nervous to think about.
I am also looking forward to the rest of this week as well because I will be attending my first in-service! I really have no clue what that entails...I'm sure it will probably be some kind of presenter or something...but I am really excited for it. It's like...one of those cool teacher things they don't teach you about in college.
Speaking of those kinds of things, I have been learning so much lately. I really feel like I am gaining a ton of confidence both with the students and as a professional. With that, I am also always either busy or exhausted, which is why my posts have been pretty nonexistant for the last week.
Today I was talking (well, I guess I should say "gushing" because we were both very excited and extremely happy with our experiences thus far) with a fellow student teacher and her fiance was just kind of listening to our conversation and laughing. He is a teacher in a charter school and has been there for 2 or 3 years. He thought it was funny that we were enjoying it so much and warned us that we will hate our lives during our first year of teaching. I mean, I suppose that I can see where he is coming from...loads of paperwork, new rules and policies, getting comfortable in a new position with new colleagues, and having to maintain an entire class and classroom. And it made me slightly nervous. I mean, I do have a lot of help now, but I thought that this experience was supposed to prepare me as much as possible so I wouldn't hate my life that first year. Am I wrong? I mean, my teacher is giving me a ton of great ideas on management strategies, instructional techniques, and even materials that I can start preparing now. So now I'm slightly worried that all of this is not enough.
I guess what I'm looking for is some advice. How can I better prepare myself for that dreaded first year?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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3 comments:
Here is some advice from a veteran teacher. Actually listen during the workshop. Take notes. after 22 years, I still learn things from these things. I actually enjoy most of them. It also will look very good for you to pay attention and take notes. People will know you are actually interested.
Have fun in your student teaching experience and congratulations on getting a good mentor.
Hi, CAsey,
I teacher's first year is so unique because there are so many new things. Here is an article I wrote on how a teacher's can start a first new year right.
http://newteachersupport.suite101.com/article.cfm/surviving_the_first_year
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Dorit Sasson
"You CAN take Charge in the Classroom"
The New Teacher Resource Center
http://newteacherresourcecenter.blogspot.com
Don't worry, it will all come together for you. There are always extra things that can cause you stress if you allow them to. Focus on your kids and enjoy the time you have with them. Be patient and don't assume they know things, explain things to them from the simplest things like how you want them to line up to the more complicated lesson content. The main piece of advice I would give you is to be consistent. If you say you are going to do something, do it or you will not gain their respect. :^)
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