Monday Morning Mind Mess

I don't know what it is about Sunday nights, but I can never seem to get myself to bed before 10pm.  I wake up early on Sunday mornings, I don't nap, but I'm unable to lay my head down at a reasonable hour causing one very tired me on Monday mornings.

You would think that by the beginning of the second week of school, my Monday morning jitters would also be gone.  But they're not.  And I know that's only because I'm starting something new - once again - today.  And what makes it worse is the fact that I don't feel prepared about this morning...and I won't have any time once I get to school to do much because I have morning crosswalk duty.

I really have to get in to some kind of routine of not doing my plans on weekends - or at least have Monday's plans ready to go before I leave on Fridays.  Last week, I made sure I was ready for the next day before I ever left the building...that's going to have to be something I start doing Friday evenings also.

Wow.  Are you able to hear my nerves much in my rambling?  Geez.  That's what a lack of sleep will do to you, I tell ya.

Regardless of how jittery and nervous I am about the changes that are taking place today - I know that I'll get through.  I think it's more about having co-teachers in my room starting today than it is anything else.  Once I get a better sense of what they expect and what our roles will be, I know I'll feel much better.

Anywho, yesterday was a very productive day.  I sat in front of my computer for most of the day writing my plans, and looking through my resources.  It can be a little overwhelming to see how much needs to be done each day - with such little time to do it.  But anyone that knows me knows that I'm always up for a good challenge.  Not only will I be able to cover everything that I need to cover - but I'll also do it in a way that ensures my kiddos are on track.  How's that for positivity?  HA!

Wanna know what else I did yesterday?  I finally got my class website to the point of being ready to use.  Do you want a little sneak peak?  Well, OK.... Click HERE to get an early look at my website. 

At first, I thought about keeping the website private - and viewable by password only.  You really never can be too careful when kids are involved.  But, I quickly realized that my class website needs to be something I can share with the world... if they're interested in looking at it.  Lots of my kiddos may have family members or friends in different states or countries - and having to have a special password to access anything could be a hassle.  Plus, I'm pretty good about knowing how to keep information general - not giving out information that may cause any child to be in harms way.  But, before a single picture of a student, or an entry made by students can be added to the site - I will get parental permission.  I have the ability to set up private blogs for students that can't be on the live site - so no one will miss out if there are students whose parents aren't comfortable with pictures of their children displayed on the internet. 

Having a class website is a great way to incorporate so many aspects - such as technology, writing, reading, and internet safety.  In this day and age, kids need to learn how to use a computer - but in a safe way.  In the very near future, all students are going to be taking assessments on the computer, will be required to publish writing on the computer, and will need to know how to navigate their way around for research purposes.  Why not give them a head start in knowing how to do all of that stuff now?

I have so many ideas racing through my head right now, in regards to what I want my kiddos to do this year, that it's not even funny.  Of course, I've been told countless times by many people that it's just the new teacher persona spilling out of me.  Apparently, all new teachers have dreams of changing the world and doing stuff that's never been done before.  Well, just for the record, I don't think I'm going to be changing the world.  Nor do I think I'm going to be doing stuff that's never been done before.  My focus is on changing the lives of the kids I serve.  If I don't think I can do that, then why the heck am I even a teacher?  Isn't that what being a teacher is supposed to be all about?  Constantly adapting and changing to the kids that are in the room.  Finding ways to not just teach the content, but make it relevant and receivable.  Inspiring the kids to meet goals, accomplish things they've never been able to do before.  I won't believe for a second that being a teacher is anything but those things.

And the ideas I want to add to my classroom weren't made up in my head.  They come from veteran teachers that inspired me throughout the years and while in college.  I've either seen them in action, or have heard about the creative ways that teachers were able to reach their students.  I don't consider myself a creative genius by any means - I've just picked up tricks and tidbits over the years, and have seen how much impact they've had on kids.  Why would I not want to do all of those wonderful things with my own students?

Sure, I suppose every new teacher starts out with an unmeasurable drive and passion - and the belief that they'll never lose either.  And I'm quite sure that many new teachers quickly lose their new teacher smell once they get in there and realize that it's a lot harder than it looks.  And time constraints limit the amount of time we'd like to try things.  But, right now, this very moment, I'm going to make it my goal to keep my passion - continue to always hunt for new ideas and new techniques.  Make it my first priority to reach every student that walks in to my room.   Because deep down, I know that once I lose those things - it's no longer my dream career, but just another job.

I do know that it's possible - because I see it every day.  There are still teachers out there, that have been teaching for years that keep their dreams and ambitions alive.  I'm lucky enough to be working with some of them.  So, I absolutely know it's possible.  I will keep my dreams alive.

Till next time.  ;)

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