Uh Oh...

It sounds like the previous teacher is having a hard time letting go. She was there for a few decades so that is understandable. I am trying to be optimistic but I am worried about her interference. Luckily my co-teacher is new as well and I think between the two of us we can combat her negativity. There are going to be a lot of changes it is highly likely she won't approve.... such is life right?? I worked with people last year who only saw the problems without offering, seeking, or asking for solutions. I've learned to deal with that. It isn't fun... at all... but I can deal with it. She sees it as her school, her room (nope it's mine). I am thinking I may need to make some drastic changes quickly so it doesn't resemble what was "hers" anymore. She is still part of the community so that could be difficult... even though during the week she will be 1 1/2 hours away. I am hoping she decides to get really involved with her child's sporting events. (wishful thinking) Anyhow, Like I said before my co-teacher and I so far have been on the same page as far as changes and what we would like to see. So that is good. I also think we are both strong enough to implement those changes. The kids will adapt... no problem... it is what kids do... they adapt. It is when we get older we are less and less fond of change.
Seeing her kind of stuck in what was made me realize how positive professional change can be. Working with new people, new environments, new programs. It keeps you fresh professionally. I think it might be a good idea after I have more experience... to find one new thing to learn about every year. One new thing sounds maybe a little small huh? Well If it is a professional focus 1 new thing could be quite time consuming. Anyhow, I also must remember to reach out to other professionals who have great ideas and are willing to share. Sharing is good. Teachers must share it makes us all better teachers.

Anyhow I leave soon to head south and see how many spiders have taken over my classroom... and hope to find more info on my possible home! :)

A lot to think about.

I am glad for those people I have around me that can share their wisdom. My cousin for reminding me how simple it is to create boundaries for yourself so you can continue to do what is right. My Aunt for teaching me the difference between spoiled and nurtured. That is something I want to remember. She said somethings spoiled is left on the shelf and is neglected. Something nurtured is given everything it needs to thrive. If a plant is neglected even in one area lets say sunlight. You can give it an abundance of water and it will not thrive. It needs water, sun, and nourishment. Same with a child. If you give it material goods... it is never enough because the child needs time, love, and attention. So I am grateful I get to spend time at least chatting with people I can learn from. This past week also brought attention to how short life can be. We think we have time to make plans, to do this or that. Sometimes it is cut short. So what plans are really important to make?

So I am still waiting on the news of my future abode. It could be one of five things. I still don't know which one :). I am driving down there possibly this week to attend some interviews we are having for an aide. I want to be part of that process. Maybe seeing my homeless face will be inspirational :)! Hee hee. Who knows... I am really wanting to dig in... but apparently I am learning patience as well. So I leave you to contemplate if my possible room over the saloon comes with a dumb waiter...

Summer

Well... I am still on vacation but honestly I wish I were working. I imagine I will get back to work and wish I were on vacation. Anyhow I am finding out a bit more about the curriculum we have available. Some of it I feel is very out-dated and I hope we can move on from that. We shall see. The handwriting book used is....D-nealian handwriting. Designed to be a scaffold between print and cursive. We have a typical basal reader but it is seriously old and bits and pieces and this and that are missing. UGGH. Then we have Saxxon math A math program heavy on worksheets. VOWAC is the phonics/spelling program. The more I found out about the curriculum the more I realized that this teacher does WORKSHEETS FOR EVERYTHING! YIKES!! I am not saying these programs are poor quality.. there is just TOO MANY WORKSHEETS!!! How can SCIENCE be fun if it is done on a WORKSHEET!!! I can't take the WORKSHEET MADNESS! Okay you get the idea... Anyhow It will be interesting to see what we can change and improve upon.

I won't be there but the Principal is coming down for a meeting with the staff to discuss next year. Sounds like they have not found a 4th teacher. So I am not sure how they will arrange that. So my co-teacher is addressing the major questions I have. I know I will have more. I am madly trying to read through my Teacher's Survival Guide To help me think about things I may have forgotten or never thought of. I have another book a bit different than that one I will look at next. I get brain overload and overwhelmed. So we shall see what we shall have and make do. :)