So, I was sitting here, on my bed, in the hotel room, waiting for the Sandman, thinking how much like college this is beginning to feel, possibly writing a blog entry, when my roommate and I hear a knock on the door and the sound of rapidly retreating footsteps. Looking at one another, it was easy to figure out which of our colleagues it would be. I wasn't at all surprised, ladies. Yes, you two.
And yes, reader, teachers like to have fun too (read: be immature).
But in all seriousness, here comes another first in my short-lived career: The conference.
I have to admit I was reluctant to come. So far, since leaving campus and carpooling up to the hotel, I've thought multiple times about how the next two days away from the students will be. Yes, it will be a nice time away, but giving up control for two days knowing things have to be learned is a bit nerve-wracking.
Well, here's to a new experience. I'll let you know how it goes.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Always ask!
Let's start the fun of this first year with my first really big mistake as a teacher (IMO):
Now, aside from teaching a subject I have never taught before and NEVER thought I would need to teach, Journalism sounded promising. And it's not as though I am unqualified, just inexperienced, so to speak. Plus, one of my favorite things to do is write, so how can teaching kids to write outside of the 5 paragraph essay be bad?
Well, that's what I thought anyway. And before I REALLY begin (and I will, I promise); I like teaching this class. Being in there puts me in the best mood on any given day. However, there were many unanticipated snags (for lack of a better word) that I have come across. To make this readable, though, I'll get to the major one: Funding.
We (switching to the royal) all know that schools aren't seeing much money coming their way these days. That's a fact. We can agree with that. Let's move on. Because of this there was scramble at the start of the year, trying to figure out where to get money to print a paper. Light bulb moment! We will sell custom silicon bracelets to the student body that encourages school pride and team spirit. Perfect, right!?
Well, fast forward a bit. Non-refundable order placed for 300 bracelets at around $260. Sweet, primed to make about $600 in profit! But wait, what's this? The message on the band is.. "questionable"? Thanks must go out to our older, more experienced, and (dare we say it?) dirty minded colleagues, for enlightening us to the fact that having a bracelet saying our team "goes hard" may not have been the best choice.
I think we just got punched in the gut.
Well, let's follow up with administration. We do, and they say they'll get back to us.
Fast forward another few weeks. Bracelets are due to arrive, and, what is this? No answer from administration. We're good to go! But, no. Again, we thank (not as sarcastically this time) our elders for suggesting we confirm that we have permission to sell the bracelets.
Again, our stomachs do flips, and our hearts race. In fact, the bracelets are in the office waiting for us to pick them up. The AP sees nothing wrong with it, another AP is persuaded, and all is right in the world! Or so we think. Somewhere in the chain of command we get the veto and a simple email stating, "I am sorry to say, but the consensus is 'no'" is what we get.
Ouch.
So, rule number 1 to my fellow new teachers: ALWAYS ask permission. Avoid a $260 mistake.
Now, aside from teaching a subject I have never taught before and NEVER thought I would need to teach, Journalism sounded promising. And it's not as though I am unqualified, just inexperienced, so to speak. Plus, one of my favorite things to do is write, so how can teaching kids to write outside of the 5 paragraph essay be bad?
Well, that's what I thought anyway. And before I REALLY begin (and I will, I promise); I like teaching this class. Being in there puts me in the best mood on any given day. However, there were many unanticipated snags (for lack of a better word) that I have come across. To make this readable, though, I'll get to the major one: Funding.
We (switching to the royal) all know that schools aren't seeing much money coming their way these days. That's a fact. We can agree with that. Let's move on. Because of this there was scramble at the start of the year, trying to figure out where to get money to print a paper. Light bulb moment! We will sell custom silicon bracelets to the student body that encourages school pride and team spirit. Perfect, right!?
Well, fast forward a bit. Non-refundable order placed for 300 bracelets at around $260. Sweet, primed to make about $600 in profit! But wait, what's this? The message on the band is.. "questionable"? Thanks must go out to our older, more experienced, and (dare we say it?) dirty minded colleagues, for enlightening us to the fact that having a bracelet saying our team "goes hard" may not have been the best choice.
I think we just got punched in the gut.
Well, let's follow up with administration. We do, and they say they'll get back to us.
Fast forward another few weeks. Bracelets are due to arrive, and, what is this? No answer from administration. We're good to go! But, no. Again, we thank (not as sarcastically this time) our elders for suggesting we confirm that we have permission to sell the bracelets.
Again, our stomachs do flips, and our hearts race. In fact, the bracelets are in the office waiting for us to pick them up. The AP sees nothing wrong with it, another AP is persuaded, and all is right in the world! Or so we think. Somewhere in the chain of command we get the veto and a simple email stating, "I am sorry to say, but the consensus is 'no'" is what we get.
Ouch.
So, rule number 1 to my fellow new teachers: ALWAYS ask permission. Avoid a $260 mistake.
A (kind of) real introduction
After realizing that I am not the only blogger in the English department, I have decided to keep up on this blog as often as I can. If only because I'm competitive like that.
I would like to say that I am here to enlighten those in the teaching industry, but being a fresh face in my first "real" year of teaching it would be hard to do. This first year will be a roller coaster ride of emotion, a plethora of cliche. All I can promise is an entertaining year of learning and teaching.
So, I invite my fellow first year teachers to wallow in the mistakes that we will (undoubtedly) make and share the joys that make it all worth it.
And, veteran teachers, you are welcome to come along for the ride also. Cringe while reading about our mistakes, maybe even get zapped back to the time when you were in my shoes, thinking, "Oh, yeah. I did that." Or, "Really? You really did that?"
Also, I extend an invitation to those NOT in education to read along. Maybe I can be a little window into the side of teaching you do not always see: The dirty side. The AWESOME side. The side that makes the select group of us CHOOSE to be around hormone driven youth.
Whoever you are, I welcome you to "My Life in Teaching".
I would like to say that I am here to enlighten those in the teaching industry, but being a fresh face in my first "real" year of teaching it would be hard to do. This first year will be a roller coaster ride of emotion, a plethora of cliche. All I can promise is an entertaining year of learning and teaching.
So, I invite my fellow first year teachers to wallow in the mistakes that we will (undoubtedly) make and share the joys that make it all worth it.
And, veteran teachers, you are welcome to come along for the ride also. Cringe while reading about our mistakes, maybe even get zapped back to the time when you were in my shoes, thinking, "Oh, yeah. I did that." Or, "Really? You really did that?"
Also, I extend an invitation to those NOT in education to read along. Maybe I can be a little window into the side of teaching you do not always see: The dirty side. The AWESOME side. The side that makes the select group of us CHOOSE to be around hormone driven youth.
Whoever you are, I welcome you to "My Life in Teaching".
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