Monday, I showed up for my first day at my new location. My new assistant director explained to me that the other teacher in my new room is on vacation and they have not yet hired a third teacher. Therefore, it was I, the new teacher, and two substitutes for the first two days of my first week at my new location.
Fun.
Learn and relearn, today is my first day with my new co-teacher, as she just returned from vacation. What I am so used to being unquestionably required at previous centers, is not as cut-and-dry in my new classroom. While I like all that is happening, it will take me a while to "relax" and adopt the concepts and lee-ways in this room. Can I regain my "Floater" attitude or are my new ways from being full time in my own classroom too set to flex?
I miss my kids. I miss my co-teachers and all the staff at my old location- I love you guys!!
I'm on my break, so I'm going to chill for a little. But I will keep you updated. More to come.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Kids Say the Sweetest Things...
Quoting my students is one of my favorite things to do. They can really put it into perspective sometimes! Here are a few of my favorites, although I am certain there will be several more posts like this to come as it's constantly growing.
While practicing home phone numbers and "911"... "Ms. Briana, does God have a phone number? I think I need to know that one, it's an important one to know."
On a day I'm feeling a recent weight-gain, "I need to tell you something, it's important. You're beautiful like a princess."
During nap, I was brushing a child's head to help him fall asleep. He looked asleep, so I whispered to find out..
"I love you, *** ***"
Drowsily and barely conscious, "I love you too, Ms. Briana." With his face smooshed against his pillow pet.
"I'm going to miss you when I go."
"I know."
And with that, he was out.
"Ms. Briana, can I give you a kiss?"
While playing Hi Ho Cherry-O with a teacher and two friends, "Can I win now?"
"But when you smoosh up pizza, it's play-doh."
While practicing home phone numbers and "911"... "Ms. Briana, does God have a phone number? I think I need to know that one, it's an important one to know."
On a day I'm feeling a recent weight-gain, "I need to tell you something, it's important. You're beautiful like a princess."
During nap, I was brushing a child's head to help him fall asleep. He looked asleep, so I whispered to find out..
"I love you, *** ***"
Drowsily and barely conscious, "I love you too, Ms. Briana." With his face smooshed against his pillow pet.
"I'm going to miss you when I go."
"I know."
And with that, he was out.
"Ms. Briana, can I give you a kiss?"
While playing Hi Ho Cherry-O with a teacher and two friends, "Can I win now?"
"But when you smoosh up pizza, it's play-doh."
One door closing...
Friday, I began my goodbyes. Parents are making sure I have another week left before they start their tearfest, and several of my 4-year-old-loves are leaving for vacation this whole week- and I will not see them again. One of my beloveds brought me flowers and a card (with money for a nice dinner this weekend, they specified) and read his card to me. His latest obsession post-angry bird phase is Mario Brothers, he told me I'm his Princess if he's Mario. Yeah, I almost cried.
Now that I'm two days into my last five, I'm finding it harder to believe but a little easier to do. We have low numbers this week, since so many are on vacation. This gives the teachers the opportunity to get a head start on preparing for the new school year. Cubby tags are being laminated, bulletin board boarders are being colored, birthday boards created and primary groups listed. However, I am helpless to just stand by as they prepare. I still do not know what my schedule will be next week, and I have not been assigned a room. Therefore, I have nothing to get started on and feel a little behind or left out- lonely, really. I help where I can, but it has nothing at all to do with me.
What to do with myself...? I've taken to interrupting students' play, playing tricks, and all-around just goofing off. In the midst of this, I realize how busy the Pre-K room is and how much more confident I feel in my interactions with the children in the Three's room. I wonder if it's too late to request a specific room?
I have been aiding the school year prep by offering the large amount of papers and information I have saved the last two years. I have the pack rat habit of saving almost all my references- such as old projects the kids and I have enjoyed, old lesson plans, daily schedules etc. So I reference these for my two co teachers' use this school year, pulling together what they may need to successfully pull off their hopes for the year. Stay tuned for some of my favorites! :)
Now that I'm two days into my last five, I'm finding it harder to believe but a little easier to do. We have low numbers this week, since so many are on vacation. This gives the teachers the opportunity to get a head start on preparing for the new school year. Cubby tags are being laminated, bulletin board boarders are being colored, birthday boards created and primary groups listed. However, I am helpless to just stand by as they prepare. I still do not know what my schedule will be next week, and I have not been assigned a room. Therefore, I have nothing to get started on and feel a little behind or left out- lonely, really. I help where I can, but it has nothing at all to do with me.
What to do with myself...? I've taken to interrupting students' play, playing tricks, and all-around just goofing off. In the midst of this, I realize how busy the Pre-K room is and how much more confident I feel in my interactions with the children in the Three's room. I wonder if it's too late to request a specific room?
I have been aiding the school year prep by offering the large amount of papers and information I have saved the last two years. I have the pack rat habit of saving almost all my references- such as old projects the kids and I have enjoyed, old lesson plans, daily schedules etc. So I reference these for my two co teachers' use this school year, pulling together what they may need to successfully pull off their hopes for the year. Stay tuned for some of my favorites! :)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The Big Transition
My current workplace: Beautiful city, driven people and children caught in a currently transitioning society.
My workplace is a wonderful one, I treasure it to the fullest possible extent. The staff is amazing, the location is peaceful, the building is spacious and well planned, management is strong and creative and supportive. In a word, comfortable. My habitat.
This summer, I have spent my time in Pre-Kindergarten, grasping the truth of my decision to leave. Yes, leave. I am in a great child care workplace (hard to come by) and will take my chances at a new location.
My heart breaks tonight as each parent inquires when my very last day is. A few of my children are going on vacation next week, so I embrace them in a goodbye they are still grasping to understand this themselves.
My dilemma is this: do I feel the sorrow and weep gradually over the coming week or do I suck it up and just make the jump with a masked emotion? I hold strong to the conviction that children feed off our emotions, they know when we need a hug before we do. They react to my bad days, I know not to wear my heart of my sleeve. However, I know not to hide all of my emotions and thoughts, because they know a lie when they hear/see one.
To mask my emotions is to keep them from realizing the truth as much as it keeps me.
This, in short, is my largest thought this week.
Well, that and the fact that I have no idea what I'm walking into at my new location. There is a toss up as to which classroom they would like to place me, and therefore there is not a set work schedule they have to adhere to me. At this point in time, I'd be planning a lesson, next week prepping it. I don't have anything to plan or prep at this point and I'm feeling very useless as the teachers around me are prepping and planning for the upcoming school year. It makes for a lonely leaving.
My workplace is a wonderful one, I treasure it to the fullest possible extent. The staff is amazing, the location is peaceful, the building is spacious and well planned, management is strong and creative and supportive. In a word, comfortable. My habitat.
This summer, I have spent my time in Pre-Kindergarten, grasping the truth of my decision to leave. Yes, leave. I am in a great child care workplace (hard to come by) and will take my chances at a new location.
My heart breaks tonight as each parent inquires when my very last day is. A few of my children are going on vacation next week, so I embrace them in a goodbye they are still grasping to understand this themselves.
My dilemma is this: do I feel the sorrow and weep gradually over the coming week or do I suck it up and just make the jump with a masked emotion? I hold strong to the conviction that children feed off our emotions, they know when we need a hug before we do. They react to my bad days, I know not to wear my heart of my sleeve. However, I know not to hide all of my emotions and thoughts, because they know a lie when they hear/see one.
To mask my emotions is to keep them from realizing the truth as much as it keeps me.
This, in short, is my largest thought this week.
Well, that and the fact that I have no idea what I'm walking into at my new location. There is a toss up as to which classroom they would like to place me, and therefore there is not a set work schedule they have to adhere to me. At this point in time, I'd be planning a lesson, next week prepping it. I don't have anything to plan or prep at this point and I'm feeling very useless as the teachers around me are prepping and planning for the upcoming school year. It makes for a lonely leaving.
Introduction
So, I am thoroughly enjoying my best friend's blog that tracks her pregnancy and married life. Therefore, if I'm on this site enough, perhaps I should utilize it myself as well. I sit here, watching "Criminal Minds" (my current guilty pleasure) as I consider what this blog should involve. Surely, just ranting is too generic to keep interest, therefore I will try to focus my blog upon my teaching tactics, reflections upon expanding my childhood development education, and my overall professional development (and a few personal growths). Sound good for my first ever blog?
In that case, pull up a chair (or pillow), grab a glass of something and let's chat!
In that case, pull up a chair (or pillow), grab a glass of something and let's chat!
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