First week thoughts...
I am the picture next to the definition of a 'creature of routine'. Almost boring. Maybe boring!
The sheer amount of work that a regular school teacher has to do has been eye opening for me. I did a lot of work at alternative school, but I realize now I had it made. Other than the soul sucking environment that left me emotionally empty, the actual work was e-a-s-y. It's always greener on the other side.
The good news is, I am adaptable and once these first weeks (maybe months) pass, I know I'll get more and more efficient at what I do (after all, I was at alternative school for 9 years) and it has actually been fun. Of course sixth graders are immature and have to be taught the ways of everything, but most of them are so so sweet and I am not used to students wanting to help and stay after and talk, and give me drawings (not of gang violence) and tell me everything about everything. That is refreshing.
And while I miss my friends...and wow, do I miss my friends...the staff at my school has been incredibly kind and helpful. It's fun to be the quiet observer who no one knows as I figure out everyone's story.
I usually don't have problems coming up with blog posts, but my mind has been blanker than usual...
Here is a more comical moment that happened in week 1:
A student in one of my classes speaks and understands very little English. I found this out by asking him his name. I got the thousand yard stare and then said, "Espanol?" After staring a few more seconds, he nods yes.
He is in one of my bigger classes, so while I was trying to hurry (30 sixth graders don't just patiently wait for you to get through attendance) I was frantically thinking for the very simple Spanish phrase for 'What is your name?'.
What ended up coming out was, "te amo?" which definitely means I love you, but I stated it as a question. He looked at me, and I at him. Then we all laughed. I think I actually turned a little red.
We all survived our first week together. They really love when I throw out Spanish phrases.
The sheer amount of work that a regular school teacher has to do has been eye opening for me. I did a lot of work at alternative school, but I realize now I had it made. Other than the soul sucking environment that left me emotionally empty, the actual work was e-a-s-y. It's always greener on the other side.
 |
| from husband, son, dog, and Dan Cortez |
The good news is, I am adaptable and once these first weeks (maybe months) pass, I know I'll get more and more efficient at what I do (after all, I was at alternative school for 9 years) and it has actually been fun. Of course sixth graders are immature and have to be taught the ways of everything, but most of them are so so sweet and I am not used to students wanting to help and stay after and talk, and give me drawings (not of gang violence) and tell me everything about everything. That is refreshing.
And while I miss my friends...and wow, do I miss my friends...the staff at my school has been incredibly kind and helpful. It's fun to be the quiet observer who no one knows as I figure out everyone's story.
I usually don't have problems coming up with blog posts, but my mind has been blanker than usual...
Here is a more comical moment that happened in week 1:
A student in one of my classes speaks and understands very little English. I found this out by asking him his name. I got the thousand yard stare and then said, "Espanol?" After staring a few more seconds, he nods yes.
He is in one of my bigger classes, so while I was trying to hurry (30 sixth graders don't just patiently wait for you to get through attendance) I was frantically thinking for the very simple Spanish phrase for 'What is your name?'.
What ended up coming out was, "te amo?" which definitely means I love you, but I stated it as a question. He looked at me, and I at him. Then we all laughed. I think I actually turned a little red.
We all survived our first week together. They really love when I throw out Spanish phrases.
Comments
Post a Comment