But this year, there's a major difference. This year, I'm on the other side of the desks. I'm no longer staring blankly at my notes or texting in the back. I'm the one running the show. Me, in a room, with 25 kindergartners, alone.
First thoughts? These kids are going to eat me alive...
The closer I get to the first day of school, the more relaxed I become with the idea of me as the teacher. It's not as if I've never been in charge of creating a lesson or snapping at Jimmy in the back to stop picking his nose. I've read the books, I've done the homework, I've managed the misbehaviors. The only thing that hits me hard is that this is the real deal.
I'm a teacher. I'm actually a teacher.
I'm starting this blog to not only share my experiences with other people, but to also reflect. I want to be the best teacher I can be, and in order to do that I need to be able to understand when I've done something stupid or ineffective. It's takes thinking about it again, really diving into my lesson and figuring out what I can do better, to improve.
I'm a slow learner, but I've figured out that being able to laugh at myself and what I do wrong makes things a lot less stressful and negative. Just because I'm the teacher doesn't mean I'm done learning, and I have a lot to learn over the course of my first year. Keeping myself honest, and being brutally honest in my writing, will be my way to improve my teaching.
Sharing my thoughts has not always been my strong suit, and neither has writing, but I figured there's a first time for everything.
I'll try to write at least once a week, but may post more if inspired. Thanks for reading!
♩♩for now,
Mr. E
