August '08: First Days of School: Growing Up

The first days of school this year were much better than the previous year. As soon as my students approached my door, I made sure that they were in the right class, checked their uniform, and directed them to their assigned seat. I forgot how it was to have SO many students in the class. When they came in, there were instructions and an assignment on the board.

For the past week and a half we have only covered rules and procedures. They just took a test on it today and can expect another test in the near future. The students and I took turns modeling good procedures. They corrected my bad procedures and defined my rules over and over again. I think they were getting a little sick of my rules and procedures, but hey, that’s life. I have heard many good things though. For example, the Librarian told me that she overheard my students in the hallway saying, “Ms. Siwell has a rule for EVERYTHING!” Of course they meant procedures, but it was still funny, and I fell out laughing. Hopefully, I’m doing something right.

I have everything set up almost the way I want it. I also have almost all of my supplies. Again, I say, MAKE FRIENDS with everyone! (See the other blog entrance for 1st year advice.)

Things are going so good this year that I almost seems to be a fairy tale. I keep waiting for something else to happen so I’ll know it’s reality.

So far, based on the past few days, I would say that this is going to be a GREAT year.

How am I different from last year?

This part is a little harder to describe. Honestly, I don’t think too much is different from last year except that I have more students and a larger classroom. I think I have grown more as a professional. I look for more Professional Development workshops. I view myself as more of an adult now. At first I used to think, “Who am I telling these kids what to do,” but now I feel comfortable as their teacher. It’s funny at times, because we listen to the same music and watch the same videos. This year I know my students better, because I had some of them last year at the alternative school. They have already spread the word about how “mean” I am and how I “don’t play no games”! I think that’s helped a lot too, because the new students (sisters, brothers, cousins and friends of my alternative students and in some classes my alternative students who failed last year) know that I mean business and I follow through with what I say!

I guess the biggest thing that is different from last year is that I am just comfortable as a teacher. I know my role and I know what I have to do in order to teach my students effectively. I have stopped second guessing myself as much as I used too and wondering if I did the right thing. I have a lot of confidence in my ability to manage a classroom. I am not saying that I am super teacher by no means, but I can say that I have grown.