New Year!

The start of school is like a fresh start! Everything is new, pencils are sharpened, decorations on the wall and I feel refreshed. Right around mid-July each year I start reflecting on the past school year and how I can become a better educator. To do lists start forming in my head and I start looking for the newest and best way to do things that I wasn't happy with in previous years. This year I am taking a leap and not having a clip system. For 13 years I have had students move clips, this year I will not.

Standards based reporting is also new to me. It will be challenging to keep track of data and artifacts to prove proficiency of each standard. I'm excited about this new way of showing mastery, but also nervous because of the management of it all. I'm going to have my students keep track, as well. I feel it is very important for my students to take ownership of their learning. 

March forward! Here I come 2015-2016!

Am I burned out?

It's January 3rd and in 24 hours I will be going to bed not only to get sleep, but to prepare to go back to work. I am a teacher. Lately I don't feel like a teacher.  I am my own secretary, a bookkeeper, a librarian, a nurse, a shoulder to cry on, a mentor, a custodian and the list could go on. Teaching is such a small part of my day. Lately I'm more worried about what I'm going to say and how it will be interpreted. Am I reaching all 25 students at all times? Is everyone happy? Treated fairly? With respect? Am I hurting the feelings of coworkers? Oh wait, did I copy that review? Did I email the parents about the review? Get one more chaperone and did they have a full background check? Schedule my mid-year meeting with my evaluator? Display student work, make an anchor chart, make sure student A is getting on the bus and student b is going to brownies,. Notice I'm not saying much about actual teaching. Well because I'm not. My head is spinning while at work and I'm exhausted day in and day out. When I do get to actually teach I love it, but it's just not all it's cracked up to be, this job. So when u go to bed tomorrow night I will be preparing for the bell to ring and the chaos to begin. Managing 25 little brains and try not to make anyone cry!