Meetings and More

So yesterday started off with a million people trying to cram themselves into too few tables and chairs. People were unprepared for how many LA/SS teachers there were going to be in the district. Microphones didn't work, presentations were hard to hear and see. It was a rough beginning to a long day. It was hard to concentrate from that point forward.

Check it out, none of (well the one that counts) the other LA teachers even checked their email all summer or took anything home with them.

This post is taking me a few days to write. And literally for the last hour and a half, I was convinced, convinced today was Tuesday. Whoa. And I feel like I wrestled a bear, and lost.

On the up side, I saw 3 of my students yesterday (Tuesday.) And they are genuinely stoked to have me (at least 2 of them are.) The other still took out his ear phones and talked to me when I walked up to him. He is playing football, yay. I was afraid that he wouldn't be allowed to do inter -murals anymore (the end of last year was way rough.)

So, back to today (now that it's over.) Oh my god. My brain is mush. I brought my seating chart and junk home with me today, I had to get out of there. The PLC conversation and language was a bit over my head, the meetings were over my head, the time that we spent talking in circles was crippling. I don't know if it was circles, my mind shut off 1/2 way into it.

My body doesn't move as quickly as I need it to, I can't make other people move faster either. Driving home was slow. Now I feel like I am trying to pull myself out of melted butter. My fuse is short, and I don't want to be messed with. Why? Because today went poorly. I think the progress I made yesterday started reversing itself. I feel like instead of forward, things are moving painfully backwards. Ugh.

Emotional Wreck

This weekend was an emotional roller coaster. I don't really want to write about it. But one thing I think I forgot to mention earlier about my blog is that it will be my outlet. I don't want to post any of my materials, or papers, or what nots. This blog is my release, not my how to.

The only thing I want to do is sit on the couch with Otto, and space out watching any Harry Potter movie that is on television. Sorry about the end of the summer pulled pork extravaganza. I feel like crap, and I just want to hang out with my dog.

Put Up My Boards and Whatnots

Now my room doesn't feel so barren. Heather helped me put up some butcher paper to cover my walls, and Linda gave me some border. It was the right price, free. Hurrah. Don't know if that is the final configuration, but I don't have to think about it right now. Double hurrah!

Now I have some color on my walls, I can visually see progress, although that isn't my #1 priority. I just feel more prepared than I was before. There is so much to do, I can't focus. I keep writing lists, where are they all? Now I have to keep them together.

I have some good ideas for initial writing assignments (thank you Heather!) Some things to help assess the students' previous knowledge. Big words like that make me feel like what I have planed is like what a real teacher would do for the first days. Heather said, that way I can spend time that week(s) figuring out what my PLC is doing and begin synchronizing with them.

Starting this stage in my life makes me feel like I have to make adult decisions now. Which makes me sad. But the decision making had to start so quickly, maybe I'll have time to look back and mourn my irresponsible in between time in the summer. Next summer seems so far away, but I feel like September was last week and I am already behind. Crap.

Everything is going so fast, and I don't think that is bad right now. If it was happening slower, I think I would have time to obsess and freak out.

Exciting Times Had By All

Last night, I had the most amazing time with two of the loveliest people ever. All made possible by Erin. And why, do you ask were 3 ladies celebrating on a Wednesday night? Because I just received my first teaching job ever.

I don't know if I can express my emotions, I am exhausted right now because I celebrated every one of them until the wee hours of the morning. I am excited, nervous, happy, scared, awestruck, overwhelmed. I could go on...

I get the opportunity to do exactly what I went to school for. For a while I never thought it was going to happen. And since I am such a negative Nelly, I started planning beyond the school year. But now, I get to plan one day at a time. Which, for anyone who knows me, is really all I like to focus on. I mean, I can see that next Thursday is going to happen, but today is the first step to getting there.

So, my blog's intent is to chronicle the ups and downs of my first year ever teaching. I am new to blogging, and I don't spell well. If you keep up with this, then you agree to deal with both of those things.

This opportunity for me was the culmination of a lot of people's efforts. I don't know if I can thank everyone enough, so just know that I am blaming everything on you.

And...
if I ever sit down and work on this on my computer, I will ad some pictures of something.