Oh, Hi. Yeah, it's been a whopping 2 months. I know that for me, life has been 110% hectic since my last post of a life-changing situtation which has been a great and wonderful transition into my late 20's. Just so you know, I'm still chewing on that one, and truly enjoying every. single. bit. =)
Regardless, I think today I'll share an experience I had this past weekend. I ran into a past colleague in Target with her daughter, a brand new teacher. Just as new teachers go, its a tough, tough world to jump into such a professional career without the "professional career" benefits. You get a mentor to help, but chances are, that person isn't on your grade level. You have teammates who can be of assistance, but only when they aren't drowning in their own layers of work. You have administration to assist you with legalities, if they aren't in meetings. Basically, good luck, because you've signed your life away to marry this profession. In the 5 years that I've been in a classroom, I've learned that I over do everything. I check, re-check and triple-check. Thanks to my dad, I've been encouraged to always put my all into my job, and I have personally found success in this school of thought. However, it seems that I am fortunate compared to those around me. I am fortunate that I have a team who have had my back when times have been tough with parents. I have had an administration who cares about me, not just my EOG test score data. I have had students and parents that overall, accept me for who I am and know that I do try my best for each and every one of them each and every day. I hate it for the newbies. Although everyone has to learn th reigns, it could be so much easier if there was a handbook for this profession. Sorry Harry Wong, your time-classic "First Days of School" just isn't cutting it. Yes, I am a hard critic.
My past collague's daughter had the same chipper, excited, I-can't-wait-to-have-my-own -classroom look in her eye as we chatted about curriculum, classroom management and Common Core. Sure, I did my share of complaining, but overall, I tried to maintain a positive outlook. I realize that all jobs have their pitfalls, and that there is good and bad in any career choice that you make, but I realized that I'm missing that "new teacher" gleam. Once I graduated from my Master's Program, I feel like I lost contact with some of my best resources for teaching any subject, not only reading. I know I can improve my comfort level through a little recharging over spring break. I can't wait for a bit of rest from the mental stress of my job and releave my physical stress on a paint roller and some iTunes action at our new place.
I want to find my niche again.
