First week, DONE!

I feel really good about what I have accomplished this week, but I am definitely weary of what's to come. As of about 10:30 this morning, my mini-team will have to adopt a new schedule, which means I'm left to re-plan everything for next week. While I'd rather not spend my Saturday planning, I'm trying to be flexible. Flexibility and adaptability are two qualities of really good teachers, and I'm doing my best to suck it up and go with the flow.

I'm not sure that the previous post captured my true feelings about being a teacher. I had a few moments today when I looked around that made me aware of how far I've come. When I read aloud from James and the Giant Peach today, they sat there and listened so intently - some with wide eyes and some completely at peace. They did what they were told after hearing the directions only ONCE and worked together cooperatively and respectfully to start re-organizing our classroom library. And when I watched them or caught their faces out of the corner of my eye, I realized that this is what I have always been meant to do. Those kids look to me for guidance, for knowledge, for answers, and I can give it all to them. I've only known them for a short time, but I'm already attached - even to the ones that drive me crazy on an hourly basis. Each kid is special. Each kid brings an important dynamic to the classroom. Each kid tests me in different ways and challenges me to work harder to be the best teacher I can be.

But baby steps, Katy. I can't do it all at once. My biggest challenge this year will be reigning in my expectations for myself. They can't get so high that I become overwhelmed, because that is how burnout starts. I'm too set on this job to get burned out in my first year, so, I repeat...


baby steps.