SICK!!

Ok, I didn't expect this to happen, but I guess all the germies floating around the elementary school environment have taken a liking to me. The good news is, I overcame my stubborn, bull-headedness and took myself to the doctor! So, after filling FOUR...yes, you read that right...FOUR prescriptions, I am hoping to be on the road to recovery sooner rather than later.
I felt totally miserable today, but somehow made it through and even had a somewhat productive day. I am a little daunted by all of the end of the month reports and progress reports that are due in the next few days, (With the state writing assessment thrown in there for good measure!) but I'm sure I'll get through them just like I've gotten through everything else so far.
Where is that darn snow anyway!?!?
Well, this cough-syrup-upped teacher is gonna hit the sack! I hope between the cough syrup and antibiotics and whatnot that tomorrow will be a more bearable day! Night!! :)

I can see the light!!

Ok, I have (almost) survived my first full 5 day week of teaching! Between the bus duty days, faculty meeting, and parent-teacher conference, I have logged A LOT of hours at school this week! I don't know if I've ever been so glad for it to be coming up on FRIDAY!! :) Now, if only it was 30 degrees outside instead of 50...Then I could pray for a SNOW DAY to end this L-O-N-G and tiring week!
In all seriousness though, I am thoroughly enjoying my job, and even though I'm exhausted, it is a good exhausted if ya know what I mean!? I didn't even get much accomplished this week because of benchmark testing, but I still feel proud of myself for getting through it. I had several IEP meetings, the parent-teacher conferences went well, and I handled myself with decorum when I was flipped off by an eighth grader...Please don't ever believe anyone if they tell you that teaching is easy!
Well, this exhausted teacher is going to crash into my big comfy bed so I will be well-rested and ready to face whatever tomorrow has in store!
Til next time...

HIVES!! (not literally!)

Just thinking about my schedule this week is enough to give a person hives! (or an ulcer)...Today: IEP meeting (which the parents did not attend), read benchmark test to 6th graders, Tomorrow: TWO IEP meetings, read benchmark test to  6th & 8th graders, bus duty, Wednesday: IEP meeting, continue reading benchmark test to 6th & 8th graders, bus duty, faculty meeting, Thursday: continue reading benchmarks, parent teacher conferences, Friday: make up benchmark tests...
PHEW! Makes me tired just typing it!
However, I got an amazing compliment from my mentor today, so that gave me a little boost of confidence! I'm not one of those people that you have to coddle and give praise to all the time, but I am like any 'typical' person and like to know where I stand from time to time. Especially since I am new and am constantly wondering if I'm actually doing all of this right or if I'm just flying by the seat of my pants and nobody's noticed yet!
So, I have not drowned in a sea of paperwork yet (or had a nervous breakdown/panic attack) so I figure I must be doing something right! :)
Keep those prayers/positive thoughts coming my way!
Til next time!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

Well, I had another IEP meeting which the parent didn't show up to today. (This is the same one that didn't show last week.) I've been told to get used to that! Anyway...my paperwork (halfway) showed up for my student who moved in from out of state, so I now get to input him into the "easy' IEP system online. Next week is going to be crazy trying to administer benchmarks, and I just got told today that we're going to be down another assistant. So, the job that 6 people were doing before Christmas has to be done by 4 people now...???? How is that supposed to work again? Maybe we need to clone ourselves!
So, I guess I better get to work! Will check in again soon! If you're a pray-er, prayers would be appreciated about now!! :)

Teachers LOVE Snow Days!

It was so funny at school Thursday...with the threat of snow on the horizon, the teachers were so hyped up for Friday to be a snow day! It seemed like the students could really care less either way, but every teacher I saw in the hall was doing the snow dance or crossing their fingers in hopes that school would be called off! :) (myself included of course!) Anyway, we got our wish! So now, as the four day weekend comes to a close, I suppose I better get busy writing lesson plans and preparing for upcoming meetings!
This is the stressful time of year to be a teacher what with all of the state mandated testing and evaluations going on...I just hope I can keep my head above water and come out the other side!
Until next time...
Ciao!

4 Day Weekend!!

Yay! Tomorrow is a snow day and Monday is Martin Luther King day, so we get a 4 day weekend!! I got a loaner computer from the SPED department so that's a bonus! In our classroom, we have two teachers and two assistants and one computer, so...this should relieve some of the computer congestion! Anyway...since I just picked it up today...maybe...I will try to do some work this weekend! ;)
I'm really starting to get a hang of my schedule and getting to know my students, so that is making things easier. Unfortunately, there is a LOT of state mandated testing going on (and coming up) so that messes with what I'm able to get accomplished right now.
I got a new student from another state, and am struggling to get the parent to sign a records release form so that I can get his file!! I guess that's just another frustration I'm going to have to deal with. So, just as I thought, this job is going to be a learning experience for me! But, I'm enjoying it so far and think that as soon as I get into my groove that I'll be good at it! (Hopefully that will happen soon!)
Anyway, I'm off to enjoy the fact that I can stay up late and sleep in in the morning!

Whoa! I can see how easily people get overwhelmed!!

I attended my first IEP meeting today...the parents, however, did not. So...now we get to try it again next week. Anyhow...today we scheduled 4 or 5 meetings for the next two weeks! Holy cow! I'm glad I only manage 1 6th grade and 7th & 8th grades! If you had to manage the whole school, all you would ever do is hold/re-schedule (and get ready for) meetings! Geesh!
Anyway, I am still really enjoying my job, but need to really focus and be sure to not let it overwhelm me and take over my life.

Monday...

Nothing much to report today. I turned in my lesson plans, so we'll see how that went when I get them back! I had to monitor a lot of reading/math testing today, so it was a pretty laid back day. I LOVE the school I'm at and the people I work with, so that's good! Hopefully we'll get all the paperwork, username/password, technicality type stuff out of the way this week so that I won't have to continue to go to someone else to look something up for me or print off a report etc. I did get my caseload switched over to me from the previous teacher finally. So now I have 24 of my very own students to monitor, do progress reports for, update IEPs and hold meetings for!
Overall, all is well for now!
Stay tuned!!

Lesson Plans...

Ok, so I've written lesson plans before (obviously), but how exactly does one go about writing lesson plans for different grades/subjects? My schedule has me 30 mins here and an hour there...all over the school all day long teaching different subjects to different grade levels! My job is to help the students with what they're struggling with. I don't necessarily know what that is until I get into that specific classroom with that specific student... Anyway... here I go, leaping over my first hurdle! Lesson plans are supposed to be turned in to be checked by the principal/vice-principal on Monday mornings, so we'll see if they understand the convoluted way I have my plans written...If not, I will find a different way to do them next week! :)

First week! (kind of)

I SURVIVED!! Yay! Even though we had one snow day and one abbreviated day, I feel a sense of accomplishment after my first week on the job! If I can remain organized and maintain positive working relationships with my colleagues, I think I will be in good shape. The SPED staff is wonderful and I have lots of support so I don't feel like I'm floundering like I feared I might. I can already tell who my challenging students are, but I am ready to take them on!
I have lots of work to do this weekend to get ready to hit the ground running next week! For those of you who pray, keep me in your prayers and pray that I can do the best possible job for each of my students and remain true to myself.

First Day (For Real)

Today was really great! I am looking forward to working with these teachers and students for the rest of the school year. I think the range of content I get to teach and the ability levels of my students is really going to keep my job interesting. I am going to try my best to stay upbeat and positive and not let the negativity swirling around my profession get me down. I love what I do and I look forward to doing it! Am I going to have a bad day from time to time? You bet! But hopefully those bad days will just strengthen my resolve to be the best that I can be. (Yea, I know, I sound like the Army slogan!) Anyway, I almost did my full schedule today so I am getting a feel for how my days are going to go. I am going to have to become super organized to keep up with what all is going on all the time though! Right now I have a legal pad full of random notes in different colored pens! Hopefully, as with any job, I will get in a groove and get the routine down and everything won't seem so hectic! Anyway, between now and then, maybe I can entertain you with my adventures!

1st day-Take two!

So, on my second attempt at a first day we were on a two hour delay schedule and I had a 3 hour meeting at the BOE office. I can tell my first few days/weeks will be hectic and it will take some time to get into the routine, but I was really excited to meet the Language Arts teacher I'll be working with. She suggested that we team teach, and I couldn't be happier about it! I REALLY look forward to it! I'm sure that I will enjoy spending one on one time with my students and working with small groups, but I am SO GLAD that I will get to teach in a whole group setting as well.
Anyway, I can't wait to dive in and get started! Will keep y'all posted on my adventures!!

1st day=SNOW DAY! :)

This is what it takes for there to be no school in my county! :) Well, I guess we'll try for my first day again tomorrow!

Tomorrow's the day!!

Well, over the last week, I've done as much as I can do to prepare for my first day as a Special Ed teacher. I am really looking forward to it! I have a training meeting for most of the day tomorrow, so it won't truly feel like a real first day, AND it is SNOWING outside! In our neck of the woods, snow on the ground usually means no school, so we'll just have to wait and see!
I am excited to meet my students and get to know the faculty at my new school. I am also very excited about teaching at the school where my son attends too!
Anyway, I'll keep ya posted! Wish me luck!! :)