Stepping up

So I'm rediscovering what it means to be a teacher. Before school starts a week from today, I'm having pep talks with myself to get ready for the task at hand: educating our youth. No matter how much I may not want it to be the case, I am now an authority figure. An enforcer. A role model. A teacher.

It's time to step it up.

My first year of teaching, I had no interest in being an authority figure. I did not want to yell and run things my way, I did not want to take charge in every fathomable situation... and that may be part of the reason my class became disorganized. Now I realize that I signed up for an awesome responsibility. It doesn't matter that I don't *want* to be in a position of an authority; I *have* to be. The students need someone who can take charge and model responsibility. They need me to help structure their day, to facilitate a well-maintained classroom, and to show them what respect is really about.

On a semi-related note, I'm also taking on another role I *never* thought I'd do again: a softball player. I've detested the game ever since 7th grade, when I got hit in the head with the ball at a friend's birthday party. I swore off playing, and have had no interest in the game ever since. However, my boyfriend has asked me to play on his co-ed league this fall and for some reason, I accepted. It seems, though, that this presents a wonderful opportunity for me to grow as a person. I think this will allow me to convey many valuable lessons to my classes... if they moan and groan about not wanting to do the work or not being able to, I'll talk to them about my softball experience. After playing catch with a friend last night, my confidence has slightly increased. That gives the old adage "practice makes perfect" a little more weight, and perhaps I can pass this message onto my students.

I think this will be a challenging year. I'm a bit more pessimistic than I was for my first year of teaching, and I think that's a good thing. I'm somewhat dreading being a teacher again, but I feel an undeniable and grounded sense of optimism. ("Cautious optimism," I'm tempted to call it.)

However, I'm coming up with some ways of thinking about my role as a teacher and leader... Here are some of my thoughts as of late:

-I will walk head held high and shoulders squared, so that I may face the world and its challenges.

-I will model a good sense of self pride (not arrogance) to my students.

-I will not tolerate behavior in the classroom that dissuades learning or prevents me from educating my students.

-I am now a leader, a teacher, and a role model. I must not abuse this privilege, for it is a critical role in our society.

-The students will become my primary concern, diminishing any selfishness I may have. (That's not to say, though, that I won't take care of myself.)

-I will step it up.

One week 'til go time. For now, I continue my preparation. Cheers.

Gearin' up!

So it's crazy to think that, just a little over a week from now, I'll be teaching 6th grade math for real!

Also, at another one of our lovely free breakfasts yesterday, we had a representative of Walden University talk to us about advanced degrees. Although I already have a Master's, I can't say I wasn't tempted by the thought of a doctoral degree... I didn't think I wanted one, but now I'm wondering. We'll see, though; I'd like to get a few years of teaching under my belt before I try to tackle another pricey degree.

For now, I'll share some of the PowerPoint presentation I've been preparing for the first day of school... Enjoy! :)

(Oh, and as a note: our clipart is kinda funky at the school, and the Google image search is blocked, so I'll have to spruce these up at home... They won't be this boring when they're done! Also, click any image to make it bigger.)

2 weeks 'til go time!

Today was our first day of newbie in-services, and it went pretty well.

However, when I walked into the cafeteria where our free breakfast was held, I couldn't help but be astounded: the place was filled with young, white, perky females. I was suddenly a forgettable face among the masses.

The in-services themselves were relatively painless and easy. We took a district tour in schoolbuses, which was fun (if not ridiculously hot in the Arizona heat!). Upon our return to the school where the in-services were held, we had a free lunch. During lunch, I looked around and was slightly surprised... People were mostly sitting with people like them! There was a table of minorities, 2 full tables of white girls, and a few mixed or girls-only tables. Weird! (I was guilty, too; I sat with two other white gals.)

Though it's nothing new, I'm feeling a bit like the odd-one-out at the moment. A lot of these girls are my age, but they're not as educated as I am, they're perkier and cuter, and they're all bubbly. I'm trying to be a professional, and for me right now, that doesn't mean bubbly ditz. Sigh.

Anyway, I don't mean to put a negative spin on things; I think this will be a really good year. My school (staff AND admin) seems really excellent so far, and I'm grateful for the resources that are available to me.

Tomorrow should be easy; we only have (another) free breakfast, then time to meet with the State about certification (I'm set), then a one-hour technology briefing, free lunch, and the rest of the day in our classrooms... no complaints here!

For now, I'm gonna watch a teacher movie to get my head "in the game." Cheers!

Oh, and as an aside... during our district bus tour, we went through some REALLY nice, new housing developments that were a block or so away from some run-down, poor neighborhoods. A crazy little divide will probably exist between our students. Also, while taking my roommate's dog for a walk this evening, I noticed the same thing over in my neck of the woods... We live in a pretty new, nice development ourselves. Yet I explored uncharted territory with the dog, and discovered that, just a vacant field over from us, there is a run-down trailer park. The separating wall between us is just too symbolic. Sigh.

Ok... I'll tackle world issues another day. For now, time for some R & R.

Gearin' up!

So I went to my school today to start getting set up, to meet with everyone, etc. It was awesome.

The other 6th grade math teacher is truly a talented, competent individual. One of the other teachers today called him "the most professional teacher in the school." From what I've seen so far, I agree. He really has his act together, and I think he will prove to be an excellent role model for me and for his students!

My roommate helped me put up posters in my room; I'll put photos on here when it is all set up.

I also met another gal who is new to the school... this is her first year, and she's close enough to my home that we can carpool! She's very nervous, but I think she and I will each have a good year. We'll see how it goes. I'm happy that I have someone to vent to now who is in my shoes!

Anyway, just thought I'd send a brief update on the state of things right now. Gotta go back tomorrow, so I'm gonna hit the hay. Peace!

Inmigración

So I was driving tonight, and there was a radio talk show about immigration. In case you're not living in Arizona, this is a huge issue out here, being so close to Mexico and all.

Anyway, I got all fired up... wasn't this country *founded* by "illegal immigrants"? Anyone who is not Native American is an immigrant in this country, and humans are nomadic as it is.

If you're unsure of the Arizona-specific issue of immigration, a good starting point is Googling "Sheriff Arpaio Raids." I usually provide a few articles/sources on issues, but I'll leave you to this one. Long story short, the Sheriff of Maricopa County (where Phoenix is located) established raids that "catch" illegal (Mexican) immigrants from various areas in the county and deport them back to Mexico.

Any person born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen, thus complicating matters a great deal. If two illegal immigrants were to have a child in the U.S., the child would be a U.S. citizen, and the parents would not. This fact has split up countless families, where the parents are deported, but the child(ren) remain(s). On the talk show tonight, one caller stated, "Just send the kids back with the parents. They don't need to be here, either." I was livid. The same caller (I'm using a great amount of self restraint by not throwing some colorful adjectives in there) also said, "I'm competing with these people for jobs. That ain't right." Umm... isn't competition the very backbone of a capitalistic society? Heaven forbid the best candidate get the job, regardless of race. Seriously, are we still in 1950?

Anyway, I don't mean to make this into a political blog; that's not its purpose. I merely mention this issue because it will directly pertain to some of my students (my school has an 85% Latino population)... and I think it's important for me to keep this issue in mind when considering the behaviors and opinions of my students.

For now, I take my leave. Take care, and the countdown 'til T-day (Teaching Day??) stands at 29 days.