Has it really been that long since I last posted? WOW!
The end of August and the entire month of September has been a whirlwind of activity for me. The beginning of the school year is a fantastic, stressful, wonderful, crazy time.
I used to say that summer is my favorite time of the year. It's warm. It doesn't rain as much around here. There is no pressure of a real schedule for the kids and I. We see friends more often and have lots of barbeque dinners with guests all the time. I love that time of year.
I have to admit though, as a teacher, October is my new favorite month.
September is spent getting to know everything about a new school year. The class and I are getting to know all the personalities in room 262. We are all adjusting to routines and procedures. I am constantly adjusting to see what works best for my students. They are constantly adjusting to see where my boundaries are and when I really will give out detentions.
As a new teacher, I am adjusting to all the teacherery things that come with a new school year. Teacher evaluation requirements and working with the state's websites. Attending workshops and staff training days are a new experience. Figuring out all the forms that come with a new job was a special kind of frustration. Most of all, trying to figure out a schedule that makes me feel like I am in control of what happens in the classroom without loosing control of what happens at the home front.
Now, October is a whole new story.
October is when the class has gone through it's initial adjustments. The students know my boundaries, and I know most of their tricks. I feel like I know their little personalities enough to be able to predict how a group is going to work. I can say who is a good leader and who needs a little leadership. I can see who needs a little word of encouragement and who needs a bit of alone time to figure things out.
October is when I start to feel really in control of my schedule. I bring home less to grade over the weekends and spend more evenings walking with my family. Most of the week I'm home early enough for some activity before I need to cook dinner. Miracle of miracles, dinner is being served before 8pm.
October is a lovely month.
I still love summer. But, October has a new place in my list of favorite things.
