Third Grade, Here I Come!

For at least the next five weeks, I will be substitute teaching in a third grade classroom. It will be nice to work with some children that I am actually licensed to be teaching (my license is Age 3-Grade 3)...however, as of right now I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I guess this is how every brand new teacher must feel when he or she gets a job two weeks before the new school year starts...that is, being thrown into a new job without any real warning. I am feeling this way because I was informed today that not only would I be subbing, but I would also be responsible for planning all of the lesson plans over the next month or so. Coming up with the plans is really no problem. I like being planned so that things go more smoothly...and if I get to create the plans, I will be more familiar with the material that I am teaching and therefore will probably be able to teach it better. I guess I just wasn't expecting a teacher to actually hand over the reigns so fully. Plus, today was Day 1, so I have to get used to the way the classroom runs. It is nice because this thrid grade is departmentalized, so I will only be teaching reading and math...and will also have 3 other third grade teachers to help me get into a groove.

Tomorrow night I also have to stay at the school for a concert in the evening, so I am hoping that during the 3 hours between the end of the school day and the time when students begin arriving for the concert that I will be able to get at LEAST next week's plans done and ready to go. I will be stuck at the school so I may as well try. I guess that makes me feel much less stressed because I will have some time where I am forced to get them done and none of the distractions of home.

I am actually pretty excited to be taking on such a large position...and it could end up being for ten weeks (until the end of the school year)...depending on when this teacher is able to return.

So I am diving into this head-first, a little weary, but ready...and I will do my best.

I Really Need To...

-get on the ball with updating my blog more often. It just seems that since I have a job almost every day and I tutor most evenings that the last thing I want to do when I come home is sit in front of my computer. I apologize to those of you who actually read. I am going to try and be better! agh.

-get my job portfolios ready to hand out at the teacher career fair I will be attending in less than two weeks. I have already had my resume critiqued by the university's career center...but now I have to update it since I began substitute teaching. These portfolios will include a copy of my cover letter (for this purpose a general letter of interest), resume, reference list and letters of reccomendation, a copy of my teaching license, background checks, and a sample lesson plan...maybe a few photos of me actually teaching will be thrown in as well. To assemble them, one of my teacher-friends suggested that I use clear-front report covers (not the ones with the sliding side bar, though). Anyone have any other ideas? I want them to look as professional as possible.

-get my suit altered for the fair. I ordered a navy blue business suit for the job fair and interviews and the jacket needs to be taken in slightly. I really need to get this done so I look more polished. Oh! and I need some matching shoes.

-get a haircut. Again, with the polished thing.

-start getting my application out to schools that will not be attending the fair. The end of the current school year is really going to sneak up on me because on Monday I am beginning a long-term substitute position that is going to last for at least the next 5 weeks. But at least I will have spring break in there to get my applications out. and *maybe* (gasp) have a break!

Well, that is a pretty comprehensive list of the things I need to be doing. I know each time I post I say I need to do it more...but I really will try...and now I'll be pretty consistent with my posts because I'll be able to share funny tales from the third grade instead of bouncing around from room to room. :)

Oh! and no one responded last time about the charter schools...any opinions of them??

So Busy!

I regret to say it has been awhile since my last post...BUT I have had a substitute job basically every day since the last post, and I have been tutoring a lot, so I have been crazy busy!

Subbing is going pretty well. I don't particularly enjoy working with the older kids (5th graders), but I am really warming up to them. I guess I just have more of a passion for the younger grades...and I am glad to have learned this while subbing. Like I mentioned, I have had a job almost every day, which is also really nice for my bank account.

I have also kept myself pretty busy with a new endeavor, selling mark. beauty products. I started using them a while back, and I absolutely love them...so I figured I may as well make an extra bit of cash by telling my friends about them, which I was doing anyway. If you are interested at all, check out my mark. website and enter code WELCOME for free shipping. (insert shameless self-plug here...lol)

On more education-related topics, in about a month I will be attending the Northeast Ohio Teacher job fair. I am pretty excited about it, but because of my licensure, its slim pickin's in comparison to other licensures. However, there are a ton of out-of-state districts that need teachers with my license. I guess I would prefer to stay around here somewhere...and there are also a few charter schools here that need teachers with my license.

So here's my question for you: How do you feel about charter schools? I really do not know much about them other than the basic concept of them and their funding. Would it be wise to apply to a few and teach there for a year to see how I like it? I know many teachers are totally opposed to charter schools, but I guess I have to at least consider them if I want to stay in this area. Is there job security in charter schools? I would like ANY information you could give me about them. (help!)

I always say this, but I am really going to try to update more!!