With Duck Season in Missouri coming to an end, I see my husband thinking about his season and how he will do some things differently in the next few weeks for goose season and already changes for next year. As a teacher, I do the same thing...I think we all need to take time to reflect.
I feel good about my efforts this year...I mean there is definitely room for improvement but I have literally tried my best to knock it out of the park in Language Arts this year. I really didn't know how the change would be because truly I loved teaching Kindergarten.
What I have found are some of the sweetest kids. I have totally fallen in love with them and must admit have grown very attached...which is typical of me... but I didn't know what to expect from them. I have several huggers which makes me very happy:) I also love what I am teaching....which is a pleasant surprise:)
Reflecting back through the school year...I realize I may have been too thorough...if that even makes sense to you non-teachers. ha I am sure you are wondering how can you be too thorough??? Well, in case you didn't know...teachers are given certain standards to follow and it is assumed that students come to you at grade level and ready to tackle each one.
(I am laughing hysterically right now...) That is not the case in any classroom. There are many different levels and we have to assess the situation and then begin where our kids are and cover all of it...or at least that makes sense to me.
The stressful part for me is I love what I do...and the "test" puts everyone on edge. Along with the new evaluation system...but I refuse to speak about it at great length. Our reputations are dependent upon one day of our students' testing life in 4th grade.
This is what I will refer to as "crunch" time! Time is the enemy for every teacher. There just isn't enough of it...or at least that is how I always have felt. And this TCAP thing....It's like the anticipation of the "BIG" game...literally. I have mapped it all out on the calendar...to be sure I have enough time to cover all material and believe it or not...I think I can pull it off. Learning to pace myself has been my major obstacle...I just pray these kids are able to receive it...and apply it.
My goals this year have been to introduce Language Arts in a creative-challenging yet exciting way...to relate it to the kids and show them learning really can be fun. I also strive to show them my human side and that teachers really can have a sense of humor. The main thing for me has been to show them that teachers really can love them and set high expectations at the same time because we believe in them.
So, I'm a little like Santa...with this whole checking my list thing right now...ha Making sure I have covered all that I need to and to make sure they feel confident in their skills and are ready to "rock" this test in the spring. Hopefully, my hard work will pay off as much as it has for my husband!
These kids at HMS have stolen my heart...and friends, they need our prayers. (As well as their parents... my colleagues/administration and ME:)) Times are definitely different and scary. I still see the "little kid" in my students...and so many... right in my home town... are sooo needy:)
And to my colleagues who have been teaching middle school for years...WOW! You have made my first year great,so far:) I guess time will tell if I'm good enough to keep good company or not...heehee
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