First Day!

Today was my first day of school since 2008, when I got to start a long term substitute teaching position on the first day of school at Ferrisburgh Central School. It wasn't my own class, like I have now, but that was the last time I had a first day.

The last time I had my own class for a first day of school was back in 2005-2006 school year. I remember pieces (because that's my brain... I don't remember everything) and what I do remember is that I started the year off in fifth grade, and by the time Labor Day rolled around, I was teaching first grade ESOL/ELL students. I hated the fact that I had to start the school year twice, and missed having my fifth graders, but I loved every one of my first graders! I can picture there little faces.... I'm tempted to put their pictures up on my blog here, but for their safety (they're in middle school now, I'm sure) I'm not going to. I may change my mind by the end of this blog, so we'll see.

So, today was a whirlwind as every first day is. Parents dropping off kids, new backpacks and folders being shown to friends, new shoes and outfits and even haircuts being admired, new pencils and crayons and markers to be used, name tags that I figured out VERY quickly that second graders DO NOT LIKE TO WEAR. Oh well. The least of my problems.

My class is made up of 8 girls and 5 boys. One boy was absent (new kid) so I had 8 and 4 today. 2 of my boys have strong personalities, one of which will be fine. The other... I'm not to sure. I've been told many stories and saw quite a boy today. Can't wait for our Educational Support Team to start so I can get help for him.

Other than that, the day went well. Apparently when asked how my day was, and my reply is "Great!" it surprises some people. Sheesh. Give me a little credit now. This ain't my first rodeo, people. I mean, it has been seven years, but COME ON! Give me a little credit.

I could go off about the lack of confidence in me, but that's a whole other blog. Actually, that's all the blogs up until my big news about this job! so THERE!

We got through some routines and all in all I think they did pretty well. I can't say enough how excited I am to be working with these students!! We will have such a great year and I can't wait!!!

ok... here's some pictures. I can't help it! There too dang cute! (6 others from the class are not pictured)

from L to R Namir, Juan Carlos, Maria

Maria, Bianca, Danna

Sabrina and Juan G

Jocelyn, Rogelio, Juan K, Anahy, Carla

Anahy and Carla

Francisco and Vanessa

T'was the night before the first day of school

Twas the night before the first day of school and all through the place
The teacher busy making posters- is there marker on my face?

The alphabet was hung by the chalkboard/whiteboard with care
In hopes that all 13 of my students soon will be there

Book boxes are made, name tags galore
lots of books on the shelve, hopefully not to bore

Math manipulative's all ready in their cute little nest
Ready for students to use them the best!

Pencils sharpened and ready with paper not far
To get all kinds of thoughts down, even a drawn car

Folders all ready all shiny and new
Ready to be filled with all kinds of papers, oh, there's a few!

Stickers and glue sticks and markers, oh my
Colored pencils, Popsicle sticks, colored paper to try

Open minds will come, ready to be filled
Lots of hugs to dish out, some tears may be spilled

But what a WONDERFUL school year we have right ahead
and now I must head straight off into bed!


Good night and have a great school year to all my teacher friends and all my students past and present! Love to you all!

Stress Sucks.

So... just because I have a teaching job, doesn't mean my pursuit of patience is done!

Case in point- yesterday, I had quite an anxiety attack. I've had them in the past, and I knew this was brewing and it just came to a head yesterday. The stress of moving/wanting to move all my crap out of my parent's garage/house/attic/other nooks and crannies, stress of moving teaching stuff that hasn't seen the light of day in 7+ years, stress of wanting to spend time with my brother and family AND try to move and get supplies (food!) that I need........ it all boiled over yesterday. I had a really hard time coming out of hyperventilation from crying and shaking, but I kept telling myself to breathe. My brother, his 2 kids, wife, and my mom went to the Vergennes Pool (I wanted to go, but had just gotten home... trying to unload some food/supplies...) so they left, my dad went to get something for his tractor, so I was alone. Probably a good thing, to just try to gather my thoughts and stuff. I did the dishes, packed my car to the gills, ate 3 or 4 ice pops, and headed to Bradford for the night. I talked to my dad before I left, and he said he understood.

Unloading the car didn't take as long as I thought it would. I live in "the penthouse" (aka the third floor) of an old American Legion building that was gutted and redone this year. Hardwood floors, big wood beams, dormer windows- wicked cool place. I of course don't have my mattress (or bed for that matter- it broke in Florida and I never got a replacement) so I slept on the floor in my sleeping bag, which was fine. I woke up this morning and wrote down all the things that I was worrying about- things I have to do for school, things I still need to move, things I need for the apartment, etc and made a schedule for the next week or so of when I'll be getting to this and that. I just needed to write it down and organize my thoughts. Yes, I have OCD tendencies. It's probably why I like post-it-notes and desk organizers and the like.

Anyways, I'm back in Orwell. I had some things I needed to do this morning and treated myself to lunch out on my way home. I took a rest in the sun (after doing some laundry). I worked on a school bulletin board lettering, and now I'm writing this blog. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I have a training in Stowe for reading and writing, which will be good- something different and new to think about! Before that happens, I will be spending some quality time with my family tomorrow before I have to stuff my car to the gills again and head home (!) to Bradford. I will post pictures when my camera decides to work again (soon!). Until then, I will enjoy some calmness. Also known as SLEEP!