First Week Recap
Without a doubt the first two days were MISERABLE. I guess nothing can top Wednesday though. Long story short: I got the impression that Mrs. Adair was going to go back to helping the afternoon daycare, leaving me without an assistant. After holding back my emotions for nearly an hour I broke down during the kid's activity time. Mrs. Adair was so worried and wanted to know what she could do to help make it better for me. Instead of glossing over the problem like I might in the past I told her that the "problem" was that after everything I endured with Mrs. Latimer this year I couldn't deal with problems with her this year, and that I was worried she was going to be leaving as well. Luckily she put my fears to rest and said that even though daycare was easier, she needed these hours and she would not be leaving me on my own.
And then yesterday they hired someone fulltime in daycare so that positions filled! :)
Thursday went a lot smoother than the first two days. Still some issues, but smoother just the same. I STILL didn't do any planning so it was hard to fill all the time but I had faith that I'd figure it out. And I did. Thank goodness for Mrs. Adair and her willingness to interact with the kids. THAT'S exciting! She does puppets and such and gives ME a chance to breath.
Yesterday was the best day, in my opinion. We did our calendar (second day) and we discussed centers. The kids did a MUCH better job than I ever ever EVER expected! I guess I'm comparing them to last year's class running wildly across the room with the pretend vacuum cleaner. I'm sure it's a big help that all of my centers this year are more "educational" instead of fun. I was even impressed by the students in the art/writing centers because they weren't running through the paper/stickers like water. We had a "mini-lesson" on how to handle markers that went rather well too. :) Lunch is starting to run smoother, but because of the size of the cafeteria I know it will never be "perfect." We just have to hope for acceptable.
Ya know one thing I absolutely DO love about this year? Last year I feel as if Rebecca and I took cues from Mrs. Wilson. I mean, we did our own thing for the most part but we also listened to our assistants and Mrs. Wilson for school procedures. Like, recess. Or, how to walk to/from the cafeteria in the mornings/at lunch. We never questioned or thought otherwise. I guess because we were new. This year I'm the "vet" with only a semester under my belt. But Mrs. Wilson is gone. Annie and Blakely are new. Mr. Adams is very lax with us so it's really up to us to decide how we want to do things. And it's a little different, but I LIKE the little differences. For instance, Annie was having a bad day yesterday so we went to recess together. (Second time that week). I mean, there is no rule that says we can't do that, so why not? It gives our children time to socialize with another class and it gives us time to let out some stress to one another. And how we get to the cafeteria? AVOID THE STAGE. I don't know. It's hard to explain, but it's nice to be able to feel free to do things my own way. Especially knowing that MY assistant knows NOTHING. :)
Oh, and it's time to pick our Peace Center field trip this year. Last year Mrs. Wilson got the paper and made a decision and turned it in and then told Rebecca and me what our top three choices were. WTF? Whatever. This year Mr. Adams gave ME the paper. :) It could be completely coincidental or maybe because the others are first year? Cool. Anyway, in an effort to NOT be anything like Wilson I took the paper straight to BCoggins and Annie and let them have a choice too. We all decided TOGETHER. Amazing concept. Wilson would never understand. As a whole, I'm enjoying all three of us "learning together." We're going through the same things, the same highs, the same lows. It's helpful to know there's someone out there going through the same things.
Patience.
After school Annie and I were set to meet Rebeclynne at El Tejano. At the last minute, as we all sat and bitched in JCoggins room, the Coggins' sisters decided to join us after all. (Thanks Blakely!) So, we all headed out for drinks at our favorite place. Susie joined after her trek from Greenwood. She had plenty of time . . . we were there until 7:00! Much like last year, after El Tejano we all scattered. Susie and I had no plans, nor did I care to make any. A couple of hours of TV and Susie passed out on me. I was completely unmotivated to do anything so I gave in to the bed as well. All in all a very uneventful Friday night but I'm still happy with the day.
When we all went to our cars to head home for the night I reminded Annie to call me on Sunday so we could do our weekly planning. Rebecca overheard and said "it broke her heart." Mine too! :( I still miss her being there much more than I really expected. The other teachers ask about her. **Tear** People come, people go. New friends must be made. New alliances are forged.
I'm not sure how long we'll keep up with El Tejano, but it appears that we will be having our Friday afternoon drinks for awhile anyway. :) After I move in September only Annie will be left in Simpsonville so we'll most likely find a place in Greenville. Even that makes me sad . . . l love our friends at El Tejano! :( After this week the other two new teachers at PV might be joining us and I know one of them lives in Laurens at least. We'll see what happens.
Next Friday some kind of electric boogaloo (??) something is going on at Wild Wings and the Coggins' have informed us that we're all going and sleeping over at their place. I'm going to make a concerted effort to go if they actually follow through with it. Gotta start getting out!
And then yesterday they hired someone fulltime in daycare so that positions filled! :)
Thursday went a lot smoother than the first two days. Still some issues, but smoother just the same. I STILL didn't do any planning so it was hard to fill all the time but I had faith that I'd figure it out. And I did. Thank goodness for Mrs. Adair and her willingness to interact with the kids. THAT'S exciting! She does puppets and such and gives ME a chance to breath.
Yesterday was the best day, in my opinion. We did our calendar (second day) and we discussed centers. The kids did a MUCH better job than I ever ever EVER expected! I guess I'm comparing them to last year's class running wildly across the room with the pretend vacuum cleaner. I'm sure it's a big help that all of my centers this year are more "educational" instead of fun. I was even impressed by the students in the art/writing centers because they weren't running through the paper/stickers like water. We had a "mini-lesson" on how to handle markers that went rather well too. :) Lunch is starting to run smoother, but because of the size of the cafeteria I know it will never be "perfect." We just have to hope for acceptable.
Ya know one thing I absolutely DO love about this year? Last year I feel as if Rebecca and I took cues from Mrs. Wilson. I mean, we did our own thing for the most part but we also listened to our assistants and Mrs. Wilson for school procedures. Like, recess. Or, how to walk to/from the cafeteria in the mornings/at lunch. We never questioned or thought otherwise. I guess because we were new. This year I'm the "vet" with only a semester under my belt. But Mrs. Wilson is gone. Annie and Blakely are new. Mr. Adams is very lax with us so it's really up to us to decide how we want to do things. And it's a little different, but I LIKE the little differences. For instance, Annie was having a bad day yesterday so we went to recess together. (Second time that week). I mean, there is no rule that says we can't do that, so why not? It gives our children time to socialize with another class and it gives us time to let out some stress to one another. And how we get to the cafeteria? AVOID THE STAGE. I don't know. It's hard to explain, but it's nice to be able to feel free to do things my own way. Especially knowing that MY assistant knows NOTHING. :)
Oh, and it's time to pick our Peace Center field trip this year. Last year Mrs. Wilson got the paper and made a decision and turned it in and then told Rebecca and me what our top three choices were. WTF? Whatever. This year Mr. Adams gave ME the paper. :) It could be completely coincidental or maybe because the others are first year? Cool. Anyway, in an effort to NOT be anything like Wilson I took the paper straight to BCoggins and Annie and let them have a choice too. We all decided TOGETHER. Amazing concept. Wilson would never understand. As a whole, I'm enjoying all three of us "learning together." We're going through the same things, the same highs, the same lows. It's helpful to know there's someone out there going through the same things.
Patience.
After school Annie and I were set to meet Rebeclynne at El Tejano. At the last minute, as we all sat and bitched in JCoggins room, the Coggins' sisters decided to join us after all. (Thanks Blakely!) So, we all headed out for drinks at our favorite place. Susie joined after her trek from Greenwood. She had plenty of time . . . we were there until 7:00! Much like last year, after El Tejano we all scattered. Susie and I had no plans, nor did I care to make any. A couple of hours of TV and Susie passed out on me. I was completely unmotivated to do anything so I gave in to the bed as well. All in all a very uneventful Friday night but I'm still happy with the day.
When we all went to our cars to head home for the night I reminded Annie to call me on Sunday so we could do our weekly planning. Rebecca overheard and said "it broke her heart." Mine too! :( I still miss her being there much more than I really expected. The other teachers ask about her. **Tear** People come, people go. New friends must be made. New alliances are forged.
I'm not sure how long we'll keep up with El Tejano, but it appears that we will be having our Friday afternoon drinks for awhile anyway. :) After I move in September only Annie will be left in Simpsonville so we'll most likely find a place in Greenville. Even that makes me sad . . . l love our friends at El Tejano! :( After this week the other two new teachers at PV might be joining us and I know one of them lives in Laurens at least. We'll see what happens.
Next Friday some kind of electric boogaloo (??) something is going on at Wild Wings and the Coggins' have informed us that we're all going and sleeping over at their place. I'm going to make a concerted effort to go if they actually follow through with it. Gotta start getting out!