I ♡ MY JOB.
I love getting to know all types of students. I started the year conversing with all 125 of my students, back and forth with each of them over the first 5 days via name tents and the structure that Sarah Van Der Werf shared on her blog. I learned that one student doesn't like to be touched, another has a sci-fi book he has been writing. Some shared their fear of math or their enjoyment of how class was going so far in the first five days. One said they lived with their grandmother. So naturally I tried to find out more information and learned of their struggles with their mom being out of the picture. That first week quickly opened the door to understanding my students and who they are so we can get right into learning and trusting one another.
I love being creative. I get to write lessons again. I get to dig into amazing tools like Desmos and the treasure trove that is #MTBOS.
Gosh I love seeing kids learn. Listening to them talk about math and noticing who gets it and who is listening intently to learn is so rewarding. It's a bit magical when you think about it. Does knowing whether something is a function or not really impact a kids capacity to succeed after high school? No. But witnessing students recognizing patterns and coming to conclusions reminds me of what does matter and I get to be a part of that. How awesome is that?!
Collaboration is my jam. Having such a great group of colleagues to work with made it such a no brainer to want to teach again. They are insightful, supportive, smart, creative and truly care about kids.
I get a 30 minute lunch every day! I get to sit around a table with many other teachers and take an actual break and eat sitting down. This is a big deal to me. I have done this more in the last two weeks than I had in the last three years of work. A big thank you to my union for the 30 minute duty free lunch. It sure does a lot to improve one's sanity.
After three years as a dean of students and two years supporting teachers at the district level, I couldn't be happier to be back in the classroom where all the magic happens. My colleagues regularly say I look happier. I always wonder how to take that but I know it's a direct reflection of being exactly where I need to be. Is it easy? No. The first week I had to remind myself that I'm rusty and it won't always take so long to get all the work done. (I seriously spent an hour on seating charts after school the first day and worked nearly 12 hour days the first week!) It might not be easy, but it sure is worth it.
