Memory # 1 from 2010-2011

In order to capture the true essence of my experience, I plan to post "moments" that captured my heart....

I have already had my 1st one----

This year I moved classrooms from a portable to the school hallways. I am thrilled to be inside the building and to build on school culture around special education. But, I was not looking forward to the moving process as I do have quite a lot of stuff (thanks to my Mom).

The day I was moving everything, Lamont was on campus to register with his Aunt. Lamont and I spent about 10 minutes catching up about summer and he was asking me questions about the upcoming school year. I asked him if he wanted to help me move and he spent the next 3 hours helping me lift boxes and furniture into and out of my car. During that time, we were able to further develop our relationship and I will forever cherish Lamont's generosity and effort.

1st day of school....

I am pumped! Tomorrow is the 1st day of school and I am feeling anxious but excited. I cannot wait to see my returning students and meet all of the new ones! Our staff had a solid 2 days of professional development where we set goals for ourselves and the school and I am excited to build on those goals throughout the year.

Although the work load seems the same, I am feeling much better about managing the classroom and thus my students. I am supposed to have 25 students coming through tomorrow which makes me angry but something that I will have to adapt to if they all show up.

Serving 25 students in my population is unfair to the students, to me and to my school. The district is doing a major dis-service by thinking that they can be properly educated in a classroom with 24 others. So, already we have fought our way in order to provide the best quality education to these young people.

So, here is to a year full of greatness. My heart is full of love and I plan to show no fear and shower as much love on these young people as humanly possible....

Year # 2 approaching...

Well, it's August 12th and I officially have 18 days until the start of the school year. It will be my 2nd year teaching many of the same students at the same school and I am both excited yet nervous.

I have tried to do some deep thinking over summer about changes I want to make to both make me a more effective teacher, but also make my classroom a better place to be for the students. I am excited to implement some of these changes and see the effects that they will have.

I am proud to say I have long term plans for the 3 subjects I am teaching-English, History and Math and hope that it will make a big difference in my teaching as well as my students learning.

I am also STOKED because the district is providing a reading program and a math program for my classroom....yes, it is scripted and may be a bit dry but it is proven to work and I cannot wait to see the results of it. I plan to supplement the program with my teaching to make a HUGE impact.

I should have at least 8, if not 10 students returning from last year and plan on having another 6-8 new students. I think that this will have a big impact on behavior since the returning students know what to expect from me and what is acceptable behavior in the classroom.

Needless to say, I have had a very relaxing and rejuvenating summer and am gearing up physically and emotionally to be the best 2nd year teacher I can....

Here's to August 30th and seeing the old and new students...