Or, Can I Do This Well? The Story of a First-Year Teacher
Well, I'm at school right now, I'm sitting at my desk. To the far left is my copy of Aeneas to Augustus ready to teach 10th graders to read real Latin. Next to that is my watch which hurts to wear when I'm typing because I always rest my wrists on the desk. Then comes my red Sigg water bottle which Caleb thinks looks like the fuel tank for a camping stove, which is empty right now. Sitting right beside that is a paper cup, which is also empty except for coffee grounds. Between that paper cup and the keyboard is a mini yellow sticky pad scrawled upon with grading calculations. Beneath my right arm are the Vocabulary Review Tests from 10th grade that are giving me much grief. To the right of that lies a red pen, a roll of white-out tape, a larger yellow sticky pad with my to-do list on it, and a stack of 8th grade Vocabulary Review Tests which are about to give me much grief.
I foolishly decided to give all six sections these gigantic Vocabulary Review Tests on the same day, which means I ended up with about 70 tests to grade all at once. That means that even if each one takes only ten minutes to grade, they take up at least 700 minutes of my time. That equals over eleven hours. And I know I may be astounding you with my mathematical skills, but I definitely did not calculate this beforehand.
That is just one of the many reasons my confidence as a teacher has taken a hit today.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Cats and Dogs
Tropical storm Hanna is sitting right on top of us, making this a very wet Saturday -- occasionally quite gusty. I kind of like it, though. Hanna doesn't seem too unfriendly. Last weekend one of the school families invited Laura and I over for dinner, and afterwards took us on a tour of Annapolis. I didn't realize how close we were to that city, nor how close to open water. Sailing is huge there. Down by the docks there's an area called "Ego Row" where people line up their luxurious crafts and sit there enjoying the weekend. Apparently there's a big boat show every October.
But speaking of Annapolis, it has come to my attention that at least two readers, both whose name begins with "A", are a little confused 'bout things. I believe a quick recap is needed. Sorry to those who have been paying attention. ;)
But speaking of Annapolis, it has come to my attention that at least two readers, both whose name begins with "A", are a little confused 'bout things. I believe a quick recap is needed. Sorry to those who have been paying attention. ;)
- At the end of July, while on vacation at beach, I recieved an email from former roommate Laura C asking if I knew any classics majors interested in teaching Latin at her new school, Rockbridge Academy.
- Because my long-term goal was to become a teacher, I decided to give it a shot even though I was already planning to go to Georgetown. But really, of what worth is a post-baccalaureate program when compared with a full time job?
- Within the space of one week, I completed that application, was interviewed twice for at least an hour, and signed a work agreement (Laura, if you are reading this, that last sentence reminds me of what you pointed out about that section of the Nicene Creed).
- I moved up here on August 16th, meaning I have now been a Maryland resident for a grand total of three weeks. That's two weeks of teacher training and (almost) one week of teaching.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Quick Thoughts
My black pants have chalk all over them, which I think is so cool and teacherish. My hands are also regularly covered with dry erase marker.
One of the best parts about teaching Latin is making up (and having the kids make up) example sentences. A product of today:
"The pencil that is yellow has many friends."
That was an English illustration of the relative pronoun.
I still have to take a shower and eat dinner, so I'd better run.
One of the best parts about teaching Latin is making up (and having the kids make up) example sentences. A product of today:
"The pencil that is yellow has many friends."
That was an English illustration of the relative pronoun.
I still have to take a shower and eat dinner, so I'd better run.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Peaceful Rest
I am ready to sleep. After getting up at 4 a.m. in order to fix shoddy lesson plans, my bed looks more delightful than ever. And just to prove it, here's a picture.
And here is where I am sitting right now, typing to you all.
That's all you're going to get for today, I'm afraid. Good night!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The First Day
This morning Laura and I drove to school at 7:15, just like we've been doing for the past two weeks. But today -- there were students. It was the real deal. And it was great.
It didn't go as perfectly as I had planned, but maybe that was because I hadn't planned perfectly. I made poor Laura turn the car around a quarter of the way there because I had forgotten my course policies (aka syllabuses). And once we reached the school, I realized I didn't have the lesson plans! I was praying a prayer of my own during staff devotions.
Despite all, it went well. I definitely broke the rule "don't smile before Christmas". I think you can build rapport and respect when you're joking as well or more easily than not. But that theory will be tested during the coming months, won't it!
It didn't go as perfectly as I had planned, but maybe that was because I hadn't planned perfectly. I made poor Laura turn the car around a quarter of the way there because I had forgotten my course policies (aka syllabuses). And once we reached the school, I realized I didn't have the lesson plans! I was praying a prayer of my own during staff devotions.
Despite all, it went well. I definitely broke the rule "don't smile before Christmas". I think you can build rapport and respect when you're joking as well or more easily than not. But that theory will be tested during the coming months, won't it!
And now, pictures!
Laura and I, off to teach. I am kind of dissappointed with how I look in such a momentous picture!
My corner.
My plant.
My desk.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Newsy News
My dear, patient friends:
Yay! Eleven comments! Time to post again.
Just kidding.
One of the real reasons I have been so remiss is that I was hoping to share photos when next I posted. However, I have been waiting for my classroom to be set up (I don't have my own homeroom, but my desk is in Mrs. Crawford's 7A) before I took pictures of everything and so I don't have any to share yet. Those are coming.
These two weeks have been unparalleled by any other experience I've had so far. And yet (most of the time) it has not felt too foreign or frightening - just natural. It has been challenging at times, and I expect even more challenges in the next week when I actually begin teaching - challenges and stress.
Well, what can I tell you all?
The school is wonderful.
The job is wonderful.
The people are wonderful.
The area is wonderful.
The grown-up life is mostly wonderful.
I bought a car.
I got car insurance.
I opened a new bank account.
I have a debit card.
I recieved my first paycheck (very important with all that buying and getting and opening and having).
I am in charge of "coffee mess" on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I really could write an entire post on each of those topics, a feat which feels a bit overwhelming. Oh well, I'll just resolve to write more frequent, smaller posts. With school starting tomorrow, my goal will be to write one post every day for the rest of the week - to be extended if the result is a positive one.
Yay! Eleven comments! Time to post again.
Just kidding.
One of the real reasons I have been so remiss is that I was hoping to share photos when next I posted. However, I have been waiting for my classroom to be set up (I don't have my own homeroom, but my desk is in Mrs. Crawford's 7A) before I took pictures of everything and so I don't have any to share yet. Those are coming.
These two weeks have been unparalleled by any other experience I've had so far. And yet (most of the time) it has not felt too foreign or frightening - just natural. It has been challenging at times, and I expect even more challenges in the next week when I actually begin teaching - challenges and stress.
Well, what can I tell you all?
The school is wonderful.
The job is wonderful.
The people are wonderful.
The area is wonderful.
The grown-up life is mostly wonderful.
I bought a car.
I got car insurance.
I opened a new bank account.
I have a debit card.
I recieved my first paycheck (very important with all that buying and getting and opening and having).
I am in charge of "coffee mess" on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I really could write an entire post on each of those topics, a feat which feels a bit overwhelming. Oh well, I'll just resolve to write more frequent, smaller posts. With school starting tomorrow, my goal will be to write one post every day for the rest of the week - to be extended if the result is a positive one.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Can I Do This?
Or, Can I Do This Well? The Story of a First-Year Teacher
Well, I'm at school right now, I'm sitting at my desk. To the far left is my copy of Aeneas to Augustus ready to teach 10th graders to read real Latin. Next to that is my watch which hurts to wear when I'm typing because I always rest my wrists on the desk. Then comes my red Sigg water bottle which Caleb thinks looks like the fuel tank for a camping stove, which is empty right now. Sitting right beside that is a paper cup, which is also empty except for coffee grounds. Between that paper cup and the keyboard is a mini yellow sticky pad scrawled upon with grading calculations. Beneath my right arm are the Vocabulary Review Tests from 10th grade that are giving me much grief. To the right of that lies a red pen, a roll of white-out tape, a larger yellow sticky pad with my to-do list on it, and a stack of 8th grade Vocabulary Review Tests which are about to give me much grief.
I foolishly decided to give all six sections these gigantic Vocabulary Review Tests on the same day, which means I ended up with about 70 tests to grade all at once. That means that even if each one takes only ten minutes to grade, they take up at least 700 minutes of my time. That equals over eleven hours. And I know I may be astounding you with my mathematical skills, but I definitely did not calculate this beforehand.
That is just one of the many reasons my confidence as a teacher has taken a hit today.
Well, I'm at school right now, I'm sitting at my desk. To the far left is my copy of Aeneas to Augustus ready to teach 10th graders to read real Latin. Next to that is my watch which hurts to wear when I'm typing because I always rest my wrists on the desk. Then comes my red Sigg water bottle which Caleb thinks looks like the fuel tank for a camping stove, which is empty right now. Sitting right beside that is a paper cup, which is also empty except for coffee grounds. Between that paper cup and the keyboard is a mini yellow sticky pad scrawled upon with grading calculations. Beneath my right arm are the Vocabulary Review Tests from 10th grade that are giving me much grief. To the right of that lies a red pen, a roll of white-out tape, a larger yellow sticky pad with my to-do list on it, and a stack of 8th grade Vocabulary Review Tests which are about to give me much grief.
I foolishly decided to give all six sections these gigantic Vocabulary Review Tests on the same day, which means I ended up with about 70 tests to grade all at once. That means that even if each one takes only ten minutes to grade, they take up at least 700 minutes of my time. That equals over eleven hours. And I know I may be astounding you with my mathematical skills, but I definitely did not calculate this beforehand.
That is just one of the many reasons my confidence as a teacher has taken a hit today.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Cats and Dogs
Tropical storm Hanna is sitting right on top of us, making this a very wet Saturday -- occasionally quite gusty. I kind of like it, though. Hanna doesn't seem too unfriendly. Last weekend one of the school families invited Laura and I over for dinner, and afterwards took us on a tour of Annapolis. I didn't realize how close we were to that city, nor how close to open water. Sailing is huge there. Down by the docks there's an area called "Ego Row" where people line up their luxurious crafts and sit there enjoying the weekend. Apparently there's a big boat show every October.
But speaking of Annapolis, it has come to my attention that at least two readers, both whose name begins with "A", are a little confused 'bout things. I believe a quick recap is needed. Sorry to those who have been paying attention. ;)
But speaking of Annapolis, it has come to my attention that at least two readers, both whose name begins with "A", are a little confused 'bout things. I believe a quick recap is needed. Sorry to those who have been paying attention. ;)
- At the end of July, while on vacation at beach, I recieved an email from former roommate Laura C asking if I knew any classics majors interested in teaching Latin at her new school, Rockbridge Academy.
- Because my long-term goal was to become a teacher, I decided to give it a shot even though I was already planning to go to Georgetown. But really, of what worth is a post-baccalaureate program when compared with a full time job?
- Within the space of one week, I completed that application, was interviewed twice for at least an hour, and signed a work agreement (Laura, if you are reading this, that last sentence reminds me of what you pointed out about that section of the Nicene Creed).
- I moved up here on August 16th, meaning I have now been a Maryland resident for a grand total of three weeks. That's two weeks of teacher training and (almost) one week of teaching.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Quick Thoughts
My black pants have chalk all over them, which I think is so cool and teacherish. My hands are also regularly covered with dry erase marker.
One of the best parts about teaching Latin is making up (and having the kids make up) example sentences. A product of today:
"The pencil that is yellow has many friends."
That was an English illustration of the relative pronoun.
I still have to take a shower and eat dinner, so I'd better run.
One of the best parts about teaching Latin is making up (and having the kids make up) example sentences. A product of today:
"The pencil that is yellow has many friends."
That was an English illustration of the relative pronoun.
I still have to take a shower and eat dinner, so I'd better run.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Peaceful Rest
I am ready to sleep. After getting up at 4 a.m. in order to fix shoddy lesson plans, my bed looks more delightful than ever. And just to prove it, here's a picture.
And here is where I am sitting right now, typing to you all.
That's all you're going to get for today, I'm afraid. Good night!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The First Day
This morning Laura and I drove to school at 7:15, just like we've been doing for the past two weeks. But today -- there were students. It was the real deal. And it was great.
It didn't go as perfectly as I had planned, but maybe that was because I hadn't planned perfectly. I made poor Laura turn the car around a quarter of the way there because I had forgotten my course policies (aka syllabuses). And once we reached the school, I realized I didn't have the lesson plans! I was praying a prayer of my own during staff devotions.
Despite all, it went well. I definitely broke the rule "don't smile before Christmas". I think you can build rapport and respect when you're joking as well or more easily than not. But that theory will be tested during the coming months, won't it!
It didn't go as perfectly as I had planned, but maybe that was because I hadn't planned perfectly. I made poor Laura turn the car around a quarter of the way there because I had forgotten my course policies (aka syllabuses). And once we reached the school, I realized I didn't have the lesson plans! I was praying a prayer of my own during staff devotions.
Despite all, it went well. I definitely broke the rule "don't smile before Christmas". I think you can build rapport and respect when you're joking as well or more easily than not. But that theory will be tested during the coming months, won't it!
And now, pictures!
Laura and I, off to teach. I am kind of dissappointed with how I look in such a momentous picture!
My corner.
My plant.
My desk.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Newsy News
My dear, patient friends:
Yay! Eleven comments! Time to post again.
Just kidding.
One of the real reasons I have been so remiss is that I was hoping to share photos when next I posted. However, I have been waiting for my classroom to be set up (I don't have my own homeroom, but my desk is in Mrs. Crawford's 7A) before I took pictures of everything and so I don't have any to share yet. Those are coming.
These two weeks have been unparalleled by any other experience I've had so far. And yet (most of the time) it has not felt too foreign or frightening - just natural. It has been challenging at times, and I expect even more challenges in the next week when I actually begin teaching - challenges and stress.
Well, what can I tell you all?
The school is wonderful.
The job is wonderful.
The people are wonderful.
The area is wonderful.
The grown-up life is mostly wonderful.
I bought a car.
I got car insurance.
I opened a new bank account.
I have a debit card.
I recieved my first paycheck (very important with all that buying and getting and opening and having).
I am in charge of "coffee mess" on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I really could write an entire post on each of those topics, a feat which feels a bit overwhelming. Oh well, I'll just resolve to write more frequent, smaller posts. With school starting tomorrow, my goal will be to write one post every day for the rest of the week - to be extended if the result is a positive one.
Yay! Eleven comments! Time to post again.
Just kidding.
One of the real reasons I have been so remiss is that I was hoping to share photos when next I posted. However, I have been waiting for my classroom to be set up (I don't have my own homeroom, but my desk is in Mrs. Crawford's 7A) before I took pictures of everything and so I don't have any to share yet. Those are coming.
These two weeks have been unparalleled by any other experience I've had so far. And yet (most of the time) it has not felt too foreign or frightening - just natural. It has been challenging at times, and I expect even more challenges in the next week when I actually begin teaching - challenges and stress.
Well, what can I tell you all?
The school is wonderful.
The job is wonderful.
The people are wonderful.
The area is wonderful.
The grown-up life is mostly wonderful.
I bought a car.
I got car insurance.
I opened a new bank account.
I have a debit card.
I recieved my first paycheck (very important with all that buying and getting and opening and having).
I am in charge of "coffee mess" on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I really could write an entire post on each of those topics, a feat which feels a bit overwhelming. Oh well, I'll just resolve to write more frequent, smaller posts. With school starting tomorrow, my goal will be to write one post every day for the rest of the week - to be extended if the result is a positive one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)