Well, much has changed in a short amount of time! I got a called from HR telling me that F. Elementary was in desperate need of a first grade teacher ASAP. The principal didn’t even ask to interview me; she was just going to hire me based on a good recommendation from HR.
Things started happening fast! I did my two observation days this week. This job is going to be more challenging than my first longterm sub job. First of all, I am the third teacher for these kids this year. Their original teacher left in November to have a baby and her sub is leaving due to illness. This revolving door of teachers is always difficult for children, but I think it’s especially hard for young children. However, I am stepping in with open arms, a warm heart, and plenty of compassion and patience. I will try my best to be CONSISTENT (buzzword in education it seems) with the procedures and rules that are already in place in the classroom. I got a chance to watch the sub in action (Ms. H, who is a wonderfully kind and patient teacher herself) and that was very helpful. What’s great is that our names both begin with H so I won’t have to change the classroom mascot (Ms. Henderson’s Hedgehogs…adorable, right?)
The class is full of sweet kids. There are some that will be difficult to control, of course. First grade looks VERY different from third grade. The kids wiggle around a lot more and they tend to be more touchy feely and needy. However, because it’s approaching the end of the year, the kids are beginning to look more like second graders. I look forward to recounting anecdotes about these kids in the future. Now, I don’t have a lot of time because I’m going into school (on a SATURDAY?!) to meet with another first grade teacher and plan for next week. Oh yeah, because my first day is MONDAY! Am I ready? Sort of. I’ll feel better after I get some planning done today. But it’s time, yet again, to dive head first into a brand new job. As my new TA said, it’s going to feel like I’m jumping onto a moving train. Here we go again!
Posted by Bill on March 20, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Once you get going, those kids will think they’ve gone to heaven.