Today I finished my first official week of work. What did that include? Five full days of meetings. Woo hoo! Glad that is over. Don't get me wrong, it was all good information...okay, for the most part good information. But, five days of meetings is exhausting. I thought last night, "I am exhausted and students haven't even arrived yet AND I haven't had to be anywhere until 8...soon 8 will feel like sleeping in." Then, I realized that I had been sitting for five days. That might have more to do with the exhaustion than anything else.
I am super excited about this school year. I will be working with some AWESOME teachers! I have been able to spend the past two days with them and it has been lots of fun! I am glad that the majority of my teachers from Carrington aren't there any more because that made the transition, in my mind, from student to colleague a little easier. I was afraid that my principal was going to make this big deal about all the new teachers and about the fact that I used to go to Carrington. I don't like all that public attention so I was grateful when that didn't happen.
Carrington has been under construction all summer. And, as they put the final touches on the school and classrooms and finish up with construction, classrooms are off limits. We were hoping to get in our classrooms this past Monday. I did get to see my classroom, but it was a disaster so I didn't put any of my stuff in it. Then, it became off limits again and has remained that way the rest of the week. When they told us my hall was off limits yesterday and that the other halls could expect that for their halls in the coming days, I was excited because I thought that meant mine might be one of the first ones done. Wrong. It is still off limits and will be off limits until at least Sunday. School starts Wednesday. Did you catch that? I have yet to work in my classroom...aka it is E.M.P.T.Y. and it won't be open for me to work in until Sunday. Students come Wednesday. Open house is Monday. Insert freak out mode/extreme stress level...
Actually...as this whole process has been going on, my principal has done a great job keeping us informed on the status of the construction and made it clear to me when I took the job that this would probably happen. So, my stress level is not as high as it could be. Part of that is contributed to the fact that each day that I have gone home, I thought I would be able to get in my classroom the next day. Until today. So, anxiety and stress with me is a little higher today considering I am seriously running out of time. But, all teachers need more time so I am just getting used to it early. And, I reminded myself of my goals for this school year. One of those was to choose to have a positive attitude. So, instead of getting mad, I'm just trying to be patient. I'll have all day Sunday, some of Monday, and hopefully all day Tuesday to get settled. I am a psycho organizer so I hope this will be enough time.
The meetings this week have been information overload. When I was in college, (ps it feels really weird to write that in past tense) my to do list would often get overwhelming with major assignments for multiple classes being due at the same time. I used to always feel like I could barely keep my head above water as I got all the things done in a day I had to and then made time to work on assignments. However, they always all got done; they were always done well...for the most part; and were always on time. My mind feels like this now as I try to process all of the information I have received the past five days, as I get my head wrapped around all of my duties (insert laugh from Chandler Bing) and responsibilities, figure out what procedures I need to go over with students, visualize in my head how I want my room laid out, etc. etc. etc.
Considering all the chaos surrounding the beginning of this school year and the fact that it is my first year teaching, I think I am doing pretty well to not be balled up in a corner screaming. This has not been accomplished on my own. I have to give the glory to the Lord. I know I am where He wants me and He has given me SUCH a huge peace about it in SO SO SO many ways. And, He continues to as the beginning of the school year approaches rather quickly. Don't get me wrong, I am still freaking out a little bit...my shoulders are sore from the stress and tenseness I am holding there. But, I know that He never leaves me and He equips me to do what He has called me to.
I am excited to get started, get in a routine, get my room organized, figure out the flow of things in my classroom, meet my students, and get to know my colleagues. And, hopefully by next Friday I will feel like I have my head wrapped around things better. I might write next Friday laughing at that hope. But, right now I am just trying to make it through the next few days without having a complete melt down.
The most exciting part about today? I asked for a grade book and lesson plan book. The wonderful lady in the office said, "Of course! I would be glad to get that for you. Follow me." And, she led me to the supply closet. Full of school supplies!! A teacher's dream room. She opened up a brown grocery bag and loaded me up with a few of everything. It was awesome! Now, all of these supplies just need a classroom to live in. :)
PS My room is at the end of the hall...aka the corner of the building. It is a science lab, which means LOTS of counter tops and storage space that I get to used for anything since I don't teach science. Also, I have 5...count them...FIVE...windows in my room. I love natural light. I hate how schools always feel dark and gloomy. So, I was ecstatic about all the windows in my room. So, you can see a quick glimpse of it...here are a few pictures. (Remember it is a mess and has nothing in it yet, but this will serve as a before picture)
