January 30, 2007

• Topic: Finally, my own classroom

  After 5 months in a support position at my school, I have just been handed my own classroom!  What happened is the school has a grades K-1 classroom that has kids that are ages 7 and 8 who need to be moved into a more appropriately aged classroom.  That classroom is currently ages 7 through 10 (grades 2, 3, and 4), and with the new students, the classroom will exceed the maximum for a special-ed class of 12, so my school is creating a new class for some of those students, and yours truly will be running the show.

  I will have 5 students, 10 year olds, who are already at least one-year behind grade level.  I have worked with four of these students already, and the fifth I met today and she was absolutely lovely (despite those warnings from many of her old teachers).  When I heard that I would be getting my own class, I was immediately excited.  I’ve been reflecting a lot on how I believe a classroom should feel, and now I will finally have my chance to put my ideas into practice.

  Of course, there is a world for me to learn.  I am still inexperienced at teaching reading and writing, and having sole responsibility for a classroom will bring challenges, and I do have a bit of anxiety about that.  But I believe my general structure and attitudes will make the transition an ok one.  Already this morning, the two girls in my classroom went to work in setting things up, since the room I am taking over is the old literacy room and there are boxes and papers scattered everywhere.  This was a great opportunity for me to work hand-in-hand with my students, and give them a chance to gain overship over their room.

  Other teachers in my school have been extremely supportive, which from conversations I’ve had with other teachers, is quite rare.  Little things like a class calender, number chart, material to design a word wall, and other materials I am now in the process of gathering.  It’s like many of my peers experienced in September, so I’m at both the advantage of having had time to learn my school, and the disadvantage of starting from the beginning.  Still, a challenge and learning experience certainly awaits.

  • 4:37 pm
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