The first week of school for teachers (no kids) passed in a whirlwind, and I’m still not ready for the first day with kids.
AAAAACCCCCKKKK!
Actually, that’s a productive panicky noise. As in, I still have boxes to unpack (mostly books). I have file folders to put together for easy use. And I need to devise a scope and sequence plan for the first semester. Um, guess what’s happening this weekend? I’d be more panicky but I know that the first week is more about establishing routines, figuring out schedules, and setting up patterns. We changed school start times, consolidated offices, and put in a new phone system that is of course being cranky. Plus I picked up a class I have never taught before but will be fun (8th grade US History). I am part of a team, so that’s also helpful.
What a difference a change in leadership makes. I’m still overworked and overloaded, but I have a boss who is putting in lots of hours and sincerely cares about the kids.
The biggest challenge will be pacing myself and not letting me work myself into a frazzle. I know myself. I’ll be going gangbusters into health problems if I don’t remember to write, see Miss Mocha, work out, and take care of myself physically and mentally. My bad foot is already hollering at me. Time to take a deep breath, pace myself for the long haul, and stop bouncing like Tigger. As it is, I’m in a seriously ADHD phase and I’m probably more hyper than some of my students. Ah well, it will pass as I settle into the year.
Last night was open house and I got to see a lot of my kids, plus have some productive parent conversations. Dang, I’ve missed seeing them.
I am so looking forward to this school year. But it is going to be a wild and crazy adrenaline run.
Off to the races now.
