So we've officially been back to school for about a month now. Liam is now in Third Grade, Ben is in First Grade, and I have started my first year as a First Grade teacher. And, as always, Kevin is working from home as a film critic and spending the day taking care of Nick.
A week before the end of school last year, I found out that I would be changing assignments and changing schools. It was quite a shock to me and everyone else I taught with. There were some shake-ups in other areas of the district that caused a domino effect, and my movement was one of those unexpected moves.
At first, I was really upset. Then, I became incredibly nervous about what this move would mean. I pretty much spent all summer obsessing about it, driving my poor husband crazy. Then about three weeks before school started, I was able to get into my new classroom and start getting settled.
A week before the end of school last year, I found out that I would be changing assignments and changing schools. It was quite a shock to me and everyone else I taught with. There were some shake-ups in other areas of the district that caused a domino effect, and my movement was one of those unexpected moves.
At first, I was really upset. Then, I became incredibly nervous about what this move would mean. I pretty much spent all summer obsessing about it, driving my poor husband crazy. Then about three weeks before school started, I was able to get into my new classroom and start getting settled.
Fast-forward a month and I'm finally feeling comfortable in my new place. I think it'll take all year until I'm confident about what I'm doing. Everything I do and teach is new to me (except Reading-but even that has its newness because I'm teaching such varying levels of readers.) As much as I'm enjoying this new challenge and learning right along with my 22 little kiddos, I'll be glad when this first year is over so that I'll feel a little more confident about what it's all about and what I'm doing.
In the meantime, here's a glimpse into Back to School 2009-2010.
First Day of School
Liam and Ben heading to the bus stop.
Liam and Ben wait for the bus on the first day of school, 2009-2010.
Liam-Third Grade
Ben-First Grade
Carolyn-First day as a First Grade Teacher
My Classroom
Welcome to First Grade!
My room feels so bare compared to the rooms of the other first grade teachers. Since I'm really just starting out, I have a lot of empty shelves. I don't have a lot of books for my classroom library, so I'm doing a lot of checking out of books from the public libraries. These are pictures from the first week of school, and I've re-arranged my room three times since these pictures were taken.
