I have now reached the point of summer where my primary focus is on that of the new school year. Teaching a different grade level, at a new school, I find myself uncertain of how and what to feel.
My nights are filled with dreams that illuminate the stress of this transition. It is actually one of those re-occurring dreams. Here's how it plays out. It all starts with me realizing that the first day of school has magically arrived. I head to my class with no plan in mind. The desks are in lumps, I have no vision of what to do, where to go, or how to be. I muddle my way through the morning, my primary concern is to keep the kids "corralled." After being pushed to the limits, the bell rings for lunch. I then manage to hop on my bike, driving only a short distance down the road to find Green Valley School. I am put at ease seeing the kids that I have dedicated my time to over the past three years. They greet me with somewhat of a cold shoulder, as they still feel that they have been betrayed. Spending my lunch hour in my comfort zone, I then find myself peddling back at a frantic pace only to realize that I have missed that afternoon with my new class. At this point, the feeling of failure is generally enough to draw me out of my restless sleep.
It is fascinating how dreams bring to life the worries that consume my mind throughout the day. Although it leaves me feeling lost, it has encouraged me to plan for the challenge ahead. I am thinking about school. I am getting some planning done. This is one dream I am NOT going to live. I will be ready for that first day of school and when the lunch buzzer rings I will not be looking for the nearest exit.
Speaking of the first days of school, they will be different than what I have become accustomed to. For the first three days, the students will be at the school in the morning. Time will be spent establishing the homeroom procedures, and getting to know the students. Each student and his/her parent(s) have been scheduled for a 30 minute interview during the afternoon of one of those three days. This will allow us to plan and communicate our goals for each particular student. I love this idea, and I think that I Can Do It!
A few more words for thought before I head off to enjoy my lunch time cereal...
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
We can all use a little inspiration
I have now reached the point of summer where my primary focus is on that of the new school year. Teaching a different grade level, at a new school, I find myself uncertain of how and what to feel.
My nights are filled with dreams that illuminate the stress of this transition. It is actually one of those re-occurring dreams. Here's how it plays out. It all starts with me realizing that the first day of school has magically arrived. I head to my class with no plan in mind. The desks are in lumps, I have no vision of what to do, where to go, or how to be. I muddle my way through the morning, my primary concern is to keep the kids "corralled." After being pushed to the limits, the bell rings for lunch. I then manage to hop on my bike, driving only a short distance down the road to find Green Valley School. I am put at ease seeing the kids that I have dedicated my time to over the past three years. They greet me with somewhat of a cold shoulder, as they still feel that they have been betrayed. Spending my lunch hour in my comfort zone, I then find myself peddling back at a frantic pace only to realize that I have missed that afternoon with my new class. At this point, the feeling of failure is generally enough to draw me out of my restless sleep.
It is fascinating how dreams bring to life the worries that consume my mind throughout the day. Although it leaves me feeling lost, it has encouraged me to plan for the challenge ahead. I am thinking about school. I am getting some planning done. This is one dream I am NOT going to live. I will be ready for that first day of school and when the lunch buzzer rings I will not be looking for the nearest exit.
Speaking of the first days of school, they will be different than what I have become accustomed to. For the first three days, the students will be at the school in the morning. Time will be spent establishing the homeroom procedures, and getting to know the students. Each student and his/her parent(s) have been scheduled for a 30 minute interview during the afternoon of one of those three days. This will allow us to plan and communicate our goals for each particular student. I love this idea, and I think that I Can Do It!
A few more words for thought before I head off to enjoy my lunch time cereal...
My nights are filled with dreams that illuminate the stress of this transition. It is actually one of those re-occurring dreams. Here's how it plays out. It all starts with me realizing that the first day of school has magically arrived. I head to my class with no plan in mind. The desks are in lumps, I have no vision of what to do, where to go, or how to be. I muddle my way through the morning, my primary concern is to keep the kids "corralled." After being pushed to the limits, the bell rings for lunch. I then manage to hop on my bike, driving only a short distance down the road to find Green Valley School. I am put at ease seeing the kids that I have dedicated my time to over the past three years. They greet me with somewhat of a cold shoulder, as they still feel that they have been betrayed. Spending my lunch hour in my comfort zone, I then find myself peddling back at a frantic pace only to realize that I have missed that afternoon with my new class. At this point, the feeling of failure is generally enough to draw me out of my restless sleep.
It is fascinating how dreams bring to life the worries that consume my mind throughout the day. Although it leaves me feeling lost, it has encouraged me to plan for the challenge ahead. I am thinking about school. I am getting some planning done. This is one dream I am NOT going to live. I will be ready for that first day of school and when the lunch buzzer rings I will not be looking for the nearest exit.
Speaking of the first days of school, they will be different than what I have become accustomed to. For the first three days, the students will be at the school in the morning. Time will be spent establishing the homeroom procedures, and getting to know the students. Each student and his/her parent(s) have been scheduled for a 30 minute interview during the afternoon of one of those three days. This will allow us to plan and communicate our goals for each particular student. I love this idea, and I think that I Can Do It!
A few more words for thought before I head off to enjoy my lunch time cereal...
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