I just wanted to give a quick little update to all of my loyal readers....
School--I've been riding the school bus home, but I think I've found a way that I can rotate between having a ride and taking the bus. Yesterday, for the first time, I used my time well. Instead of playing bus monitor and arriving home with an upset stomach and headache, I worked for 30 minutes after school on my lesson plans and grades. When I left, I was done for the day. I'm productive during the school time when I plan, but unfortunately, it is never enough. Those extra minutes after school with Internet and printing access made a huge difference. I've realized that being a teacher and not having a car or Internet at home doesn't work very well. When I signed up to be a teacher freshman year of college, I knew that I'd be spending a lot of time working outside of work. Throughout college, I had access to the resources necessary to be an effective teacher (computer, Internet, library, etc). Here in Nashville, working outside of work is highly inefficient (a pet peeve of mine) and overall frustrating. Last week, for example, I would look through my textbooks, come up with ideas, and write them on a sheet of paper. I would think about games and activities, but couldn't create them without Internet. I knew that many things that I wanted to do could be found online. I was confident that with a little of time on Google, I'd have the flashcards, games, rubric, etc. I needed or something close to it. I am grateful that I now have a way to work and be productive! woot woot! I'm impressed by teachers who do it all themselves in areas that have so much less. My struggles, in comparison to theirs, are minute.
Life--Life is happening (good and bad.
GOOD-I'm teaching 1st-3rd grade students at a local Catholic Church called Holy Name. It is my new parish and I absolutely love it! A large portion of the parishioners are Haitian refugees/immigrants and their children. The priest is actually from Haiti, too. It is a small, yet diverse community of believers that love each other and God. It brings me such joy to have found MY parish so early in the year!
BAD-We have mice and my roommates each as much or more sweets than I do. It is hard to have will power when 5 or more people are indulging by you. Good thing we have free memberships at the YMCA which is literally across the road from my house. phew!
paz y amor :D
Hm. Sounds like if you were in the 1950s (or any era pre-internet) you'd be a pretty stinky teacher!
ReplyDeleteYeah it's easier, more efficient, and you're used to it. But what did teachers do 20 years ago? So it takes more time...oh well. You'll still do it well. Don't sweat the small stuff. Are your roommates teachers too? You could have work nights where you help build games/ flashcards and brainstorm with each other. Make it a social event - not work?!?!
I probably would be if I was sent back there. College taught me to use the resources available. No one else is a teacher and no one has shown interest in helping (except for cutting out some things with me one night).
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