Everyone says your first year is difficult, and I really did take this to heart. I was still, however, surprised at the 16-hour work days, tears of frustration and exhaustion, and the late Saturday evenings that turned into Sunday mornings spent on ARD paperwork instead of out with friends. Even still I'm thankful for the role I get to play in these young lives, and each morning, when the coffee has kicked in, and I'm ready to face the day, singing "gooood morning!" to 5 sleepy faces is that much sweeter, and I'm reminded that it's all worth it.
This summer, I watched this video to prepare myself (as if that was possible), and parts of it have stuck with me all throughout this difficult, tiring, crazy, beautiful school year.
My favorite takeaways from this video are:
- Posting a daily schedule for students to reference -- this is so important to my kids and the structure each requires.
- Excitedly greeting each student as he/she gets off the bus. Although this article says otherwise, it has been important to me (and my students) to do this every day.
- Stressing what my students CAN do vs. what they CAN'T.
- Using experienced teachers, my mentor, and adviser as irreplaceable resources.
It's been an adventure to say the least, but it's one that I wouldn't trade for the world. Oh, and in 72 days, I will get to experience another sweet teacher experience: SUMMER!
