New Intentions

Originally, this blog was created for a class project, but, I have new intentions for this blog now. I have just accepted an exciting new job as a Kindergarten school teacher at an Atlanta charter school, which will remain anonymous. In so far, I have had half a year of true professional experience as a second grade teacher, and given the different curriculum and the full term contract, I accept this as my first true year of teaching. Beginning to end. My class. My students. Their teacher. And I can't wait.

I have several goals for this upcoming year, obviously mostly involving academics and parent/teacher communication. But I also want to continue to be a reflective teacher of myself and my students. Though I understand that routine and structure is necessary in a classroom, I refuse to let this set into my teaching style, and, point blank, cramp that style. Teaching is an ever changing profession with ever changing needs in the classroom. So my personal goal this year, is to try and "survive" the what has been referred to as the "survival first year" of teaching by trying to bypass this stage all together. And how will I do this? By stepping back, looking at my day as a third person, and blog for 10 minutes EVERY day. I am hoping this will force me to step back and see the big picture. What should my first priorities be? What are some things I can do to enhance the lessons? Which lessons need to be enhanced the most? Where are the problem areas in the classroom? Behavior? Number concepts? etc.

This past year, I came into the classroom mid-year. And determined to keep up with the rest of the grade-level, I worked late nights creating lessons that integrated first-of-the-year "getting to know you" lessons with the curriculum. Slowly reintroducing the learning stations and encouraging more autonomy in the classroom as we established our class rules. Unfortunately, I continued to stay late every night and eventually felt myself start to become more and more wary. Unconsciously, I began to look at my priorities more often making promises with myself to complete my mental checklist in order. This helped.

However, I know how I am, and can already feel myself wanting to start out the year sprinting. And though, I see no shame in this, I need to keep myself in check and make sure I am sprinting in the correct direction and not make too many detours. Hello. My name is Frankie and I am an easily-distracted perfectionist. On several occasions this past school year, I stopped mid-work to rearrange the furniture, because I realized that if I just move the table over to the right flush with the wall, it would be more functional. Unfortunately, I would then realize that newly positioned table inhibited access to a certain learning station and would set out to rectify that situation as well. In turn, causing a chain effect throughout the entire classroom. I was always happy with the turnout, but I would then come home to a sleeping husband and cold dinner.

So, that being said, my goal this year is to blog immediately about my reflection of the day and prioritize my tasks for that afternoon. A checklist, if you will, to keep myself on track.

Here's to an exciting new year with wonderful little ones to brighten my day every day!