First Week

By publishing this post I did actually make it through the first week of school as a teacher!

My first day of school was very memorable. The first three periods went very well, I was excited for lunch and the afternoon classes. Suddenly the principal comes on the intercom and announces because it is snowing school had been canceled. All students were to call their parents and go home. Now I don't have windows in my classroom, so I couldn't see how much snow was on the ground. The students had told me it was snowing, but really we're in South Eastern New Mexico people it doesn't snow that much. So I go out in the hallway and look into the atrium. Yes it was snowing. Yes it was coming down fairly fast. Yes it was piling up on the trees. No it was not sticking to the pavement at all. I stood laughing the entire time the students were headed out the door and as they pushed the teachers out the door. As soon as I got home it quit snowing and everything melted. It did snow throughout the afternoon, but nothing stuck. Needless to say I won't be forgetting my first official day as a teacher.

This week I learned that 7th graders never stop talking. They are sweet, they are fun, they are mostly hard working, but they never ever stop talking. Coming in the middle of the year I feel like I am in an up hill battle trying to get the students to do things my way. Their last teacher had given up at the end of the semester and the students had mostly taken free reign of the classroom. Well there is a new ruler in town and she isn't going to put up with being talked over. They will do it my way if it kills us both.

The second thing I learned about 7th graders this week is that they are virtually incapable of following directions. I don't know what goes through their little brains while they look at me as I explain what I want them to do, but it sure as heck is not listening to what I am saying. I thought at first I was just giving too many directions, but as the week progressed and I would give them one thing to do they seemed to always do the opposite of what I asked. Perhaps I should tell them to do the opposite of what I want and they will do what I want instead.

The other teachers and staff at my school have been incredibly helpful and welcoming as I learn the intricacies of the school. I'm the youngest teacher at the school by at least 5 years probably more, but they have been very good about not treating me like a baby, but as a colleague. I am excited for next week as we cover bacteria and protists. I have got to go grade more papers now! More next week.