a fresh start...in november

So, I've been meaning to keep track of and share experiences from my first year teaching since I was hired in July. Well, I kept getting busy and kept making excuses of why I didn't have time to start this. So here we are 4 days before Thanksgiving break and the beginning of your enlightenment into my life is commencing. :)

Never did I think I would teach Kindergarten. I was aiming for more "challenging students". Meaning those who were in 3rd grade or up. Those whose minds had already formed stereotypes and attitudes I could influence. So, it was an awakening experience to realize that my 4, 5, and 6 year olds are plenty "challenging" in their own way. I prepare myself each morning to tie shoes, button and zip pants, wipe faces, and repeat one and two step instructions 5 times over on top of dealing with attitudes that have already formed; in addition to preparing lesson plans and fun activities to keep my students engaged in learning. I also have started to unintentionally respond to "mommy" as I am referred to as so at least 6 times a day. Never could I have imagined the psychological attachment I would feel towards my students. I am certainly not (nor want to be) any one's mother at this time in my life, but the responsibility and love surely is present.

But wait, I've jumped way to far ahead of myself. I have in fact been keeping a journal of experiences from day 1. I suppose that's the English major coming out in me. I love to write, and my Professional Writing class last fall really made an impact on my writing. It took away the "I have to write another paper" attitude and replaced it with a "this is the one way I can say whatever I want to say". If I don't want other people to know about it I can dispose of the evidence. If I do I have ways to publish it for the world to see.

So starting with day 1, July, 2009. I had pretty much given up on finding a job for the school year and was instead going to continue in grad school at JMU. I wanted (and still want) to be a behavior specialist, yea one of those people that works with the kids that throw things at you, yell at you, but love you more than anything. So, I took 3 classes this summer and was enrolled for full time in the upcoming fall semester to work on my MA in Special Education. Apparently the Lord had different plans in store for me. The principal from the school where I student taught called me one morning, and bluntly asked if I would be interested in interviewing for a Kindergarten position. Surprised, I said of course (in my mind thinking ummm whaaat!). So it was set, I sent in my application and had an interview the next morning. Originally I thought it was going to be a position for me to fill temporarily (until January); however, later circumstances made the position more permanent. Leaving out the suspense and tedious details of paperwork and fingerprints I was hired soon after.

3 weeks before school started and I had a classroom. Let me add this classroom was filled with another teacher's belongings. 26 years of teaching materials left for me to work with. I cannot tell you how thankful and overwhelming that is at the same time. Thankful because I have so many resources and ideas to use (helpful when you have never observed a Kindergarten classroom, let alone be put in charge of one), and overwhelming when there are so many resources I don't know which ones to choose from this year and which to leave for later. I have been so blessed to take over a room where the love the teacher had for her classroom is so apparent, and subsequently 98% of the time I am thankful.

So far the year has gone well. I have 16 youngsters that keep me active as I restart my school days. The way I see it why not start over once you get to the top in school. Let's see if I can better myself this time around :). There will be more to come don't you worry. And for the people that enjoy my school updates on fb. This blog is for you. An entertaining sometimes scary window into my wild, wacky, everyday life of a 5 year old.

PS I am now the world's best hand washer.