Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the first day of school for teachers. The students come back on Thursday. We have two days to acclimate and mentally prepare before the kids show up. I'm in a new school this year. This is bittersweet for me for many reasons. I continue to dream about my former students. I worry about what will happen to them this year. Thank God one of my best friends will still be at that school and can give me updates. I will miss my friend and former co-worker dearly. We had the best working relationship which made it extremely difficult to leave. But, in the end I knew that after 3 years in that school if I did not leave I was destined to leave teaching altogether within the next year.

I'm excited, scared, sad and full of anticipation going into this school year and new school. I'll be working with new students and teachers. The format of my teaching will change. I will be co-teaching with up to 7 teachers and no formal training or accommodations for planning have been provided. Red flag numero uno. The administrative staff is prepared, sending out agendas and goal setting forms ahead of time. I've been helped anytime I've asked for it so that is in the positive category. There is a lot of tension between the remaining teacher, who I will share a very small classroom (virtual closet) with and the rest of the school. I'm hoping to not get stuck in the middle of a battle.

Thinking about goals this year I so far have come up with wanting to start a kids yoga program as well as integrate yoga into daily lessons. I'd like to coordinate a fundraiser after reading "Three Cups of Tea." I would also like to start up an outdoors club and maybe even a track team. But, first and foremost, I need to get acclimated, figure out who is easy to work with and who is not and how to deal with them while not compromising my own teaching style and belief system. I need to get to know and understand my students. I need to learn how to fill out all of the necessary documents, and there seems to be a lot, and do it correctly and on time.

So, while I have high aspirations for this school which is in my very own community, I also will need to set personal limits for myself and not allow myself to be taken advantage of nor put down. The first step is just to get to know the layout of the land, so to speak, and go from there. I haven't even brought in any materials yet! I can't. I don't know what grades I am teaching and I haven't met the teacher I'm sharing space with either.

I do know that my department is in complete disarray with materials all over the building that have not been inventoried. So, I have a lot of organizing to do before I can even begin to start after-school programs, etc.

Small steps. At least I am able to walk to school this year and save money on gas. I can stay late and still get home at a decent hour, or if God forbid, things fall apart I can run home at lunch and immediately after school.

However, I anticipate a productive school year. I am remaining open and positive but realistic.
Until tomorrow...