A New Adventure

Today I slept in late, enjoyed some spontaneous time with family, and soaked up a few rays by the pool.

Summer is in full swing.

And I am here for it!

But I'm also all about some planning and dreaming and prepping for the upcoming school year.

And that's okay too.

I'm excited and ready to get started.

I will be in a new school district next year teaching 7th Grade Math which happens to be my favorite of all the things to teach.  

Last year was a weird year for me as far as teaching goes. And if I'm being honest it wasn't the most enjoyable year of my teaching career.  I didn't get to do much teaching and because of that I am eager to get back into the classroom and do my thing.

So today I took the risk  of looking like an eager beaver and I contacted my principal about getting into my new classroom.  I was dying to see it.

My husband and I just got back from an AMAZING ten day road trip.  By the end of the trip I was just busting at the seams to get home and start working on all things school.

So today was the day.  I walked into my new classroom for the first time.

My first thought?

Well dang!  The current teacher has moved out yet and I can't get started.

But I've been there and I totally get it.  She can't move until her new room is vacated.

So my disappointment was quickly replaced with big dreams and excitement.

I took note of all the storage and the two mini bulletin boards.  My brain started racing with ideas of how to arrange the desk.  

I noticed that burnt orange wall.  See it?  The wall that doesn't fit my usual color scheme of black and neon?  

And then I let my mind shift and begin to explore other theme ideas.  I'm not ready to accept any of them but dreams and ideas are beginning to form.

My eyes began to see a space where students would feel loved and free to be themselves.  I began to see a space where students would grow as mathematical thinkers.  I began to see a space where students would want to spend time.

I began to see the relationships that will no doubt be built.  I began to see the growth in me that would take place within these four walls.

You see it's not about the building.  It's not about how new or how old the building might be.  It's not about a certain color scheme.  

It's about the relationships and the bonds that are formed within the space.  

That is what creates a space for learning.

This room is now mine.

Mine and and about 130 students'.  

Students I cannot wait to meet.  

A New Adventure

I will be starting in a new grade level at a new district next year.

And I could not be more excited.

I will be teaching 7th grade Math.  Y'all 7th grade is my favorite!  I am thrilled to be returning to a middle school setting.

I don't think I'm cut out for elementary.

Today I attended New Employee Onboarding.  

We basically took care of paperwork and the business side of things.  We set up our school email and online gradebook accounts.  We had pictures taken for our photo IDs and we received a new MacBook Air.  We signed our contracts and received insurance information.

After we attended those stations they walked us through the district website and lots of "how to"s.  It was  a lot of information.

I felt like I was back at freshman orientation in college.

I liked doing it this way.  It gave me the opportunity to meet other newbies.  It feels like a safer environment, at least to me, when you aren't the only new person in a sea of people who know each other.

I happened to sit down at a table with the woman teaching 7th grade Science.  She will be my neighbor.  I also sat down with a woman who used to hang out with my younger brother.

This afternoon I met with four other new teachers and our principal.  We toured the school and got to see our classrooms.  I'm in love with the big windows in my classroom.   I have tables instead of desks which I'm happy about.  Lots of awesome technology including a  smart board and a chrome cart just for my classroom.

We also had the opportunity to fire any and all questions at our principal.  I learned my schedule for  next year...

I will be teaching 3 sections of Math to students who are below grade level.  The 3 sections are double blocked so I have 98 minutes with them.  During these classes I will have a coteacher with me.  I think I'm excited about that.  I've been praying that she will be someone that I get a long with and work well with.  Today I learned that she is someone who has worked for the district before.  She has worked her way to be a principal and is now coming back to the district and will be coteaching with me.  

If you have any experience or advice on coteaching I'd love to hear it.

I also have one class of students who are signed up for Pre AP English but not Pre AP Math.  That class is not double blocked so I will have them 49 minutes.

Overall I feel excited and overwhelmed at all the new information.

It's a new adventure for sure.