I have just wrapped up my first official week on the job, and I was talking with our principal after a full day of working. During the conversation, she had mentioned the idea of creating a blog to write about and remember my first year of teaching. The idea of creating a blog had never crossed my mind before, but I really liked the idea of being able to go back and see the progression of the school year. The plan is to write at least once a week recapping the events of the week prior. The emotions, events, ups & downs from the week are going to be the main focus of each post. A lot of people always talk about how awesome it is to be able to just write your feelings down. I'm not the best writer (hello.. Math teacher), but I'm going to give this a shot.
So here goes nothing...
I had waited all summer, and the week was finally here. Butterflies in my stomach is an understatement of the anxiety I was feeling. I was blessed to have earned a job at McAuliffe Elementary teaching 4th grade math. Everyone knows what an amazing school McA is, and how great and fabulous the principal is. So when the idea of working there became a reality, I pounced on it quickly.
I was so excited to start working with my 4th grade team, but also extremely nervous. These three women are truly the best teachers that I have ever been around. It's only been five days working with them, and I can already see the incredible amount passion they have for teaching and working with kids. They never stop working and thinking about how they can make everything better than it was last year. I have learned so much from them already in a weeks time.They truly want to create "The Greatest Show on Earth".
So where do I fit into this team? I am one of two male teachers at the school. The other guy is the P.E. teacher, so I won't necessarily see him too often. I'm surrounded by women (not complaining). It's my first official year of teaching, and I'm stepping into a team with accomplished fabulous teachers. Everyone keeps telling me how great I'll be, and how lucky McA is to have me. But why? I guess I don't get the hype about me. I'm very confident in myself and I truly believe that I can be an excellent teacher, but I haven't proven myself in the classroom. I think the thing I'm most anxious and nervous about is letting my team down. The bar is set extremely high, but I will do everything that I can to reach it. Come Monday I'm going to have a classroom full of kids ready to learn. My fear of failing and letting my team and more importantly my students down is what is driving me to be the best teacher I can be. If anything, I'm going to love these kids, and cherish the relationships that I build with each and everyone of them because I know I'm good at that. I love working with kids, and there is nothing else I'd rather be doing.
This first week has been packed full of professional learning, setting up the classroom, and getting ready for the first day. I got to meet most of my students at Meet the Teacher on Thursday, and that only made me more excited for first day. It was a stressful week, but my team was so incredible and did everything they could to make it comfortable for me. There isn't any other group of teachers that I would rather be working with. They are an amazing supporting cast, and I have complete trust in them. It's up to me to work hard everyday, care about my students, and make positive impacts on their lives. I am determined to not only live up to high bar set but to go past it.
I'm so excited and ready to get this year started. It's what I've worked so hard for the past 5 years. This group of students coming Monday is the first of many that Mr. Mouton will have a positive impact on.
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