This year a job came up that I thought would work well for me (and for my family). So I applied...and I got it! :) I have a 30% position in a grade 3/4 class at an awesome little school. So far I love it even more than I thought I would.
I teach science, technology, and health and career. I also teach a guided reading group and cover some kindergarten prep time. It is quite a variety. Our school will soon be starting the Learning in Depth program as well, and I get to be the one who does it for our class. I can't wait to facilitate this!
I work Mon-Wed and I start at 10:30, which means I try to leave by 9:30 at the latest (to get there 30 min before I start teaching). It's been great, because on those days I have time with my kids in the morning to get them ready and out the door, and my husband knows that he has 3 days that he can leave as early as he wants. I still need his help on Thurs-Fri mornings, but it's been so much easier for him this year. He has always gone into work early. When I was an at-home Mom he could go in as early as he wanted and stay as late as he wanted, never had to take a day off for a sick kid or anything, so the last couple of years with me working so much and commuting (sometimes all the way to Boston Bar), has been....ummm....an adjustment.
As for me - even though it's only a 30% position, I've been surprisingly busy, busier than I thought. Between doing lots of planning (trying to make my lessons meaningful and hopefully enjoyable too), a lot of my own learning, and then TOCing on the other two days, I've been busier than I've been in a long time. Good thing I enjoy it!
The staff is wonderful, my partner teacher is amazing, and my principal is very laid-back as well as very supportive. The students are great and it's a really nice class! I am learning so much.
Now I just need to relax a little and find my own confidence to trust my judgement and stop worrying that I'm not doing a good enough job. I need to stop worrying about being judged by others, stop trying to please everyone else, and just focus on teaching my students the best way I know how and trust that it's good enough.
To be continued....
You'll do a great job!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome. I'm so lucky that Mark let me help choose who would teach with me this year! Kyra often says that the best part of her day is science -- she loves the fun games, experiments, and art projects you do with them to drive home those science concepts. You are a gifted teacher, and I am so blessed to be working with you this year.
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