Day 2

Well, day 2 went fairly well. I think we nearly have everyone matched with a mentor! As soon as I hear from all of the principals I can send out the match list. Now I just need to get orientation together!

We are all learning, this is how we grow together. I learned quite a bit today and am looking forward to exploring some interesting ideas tomorrow!~

First Day of School... complete!

Wow! What a crazy day! I got to see the inner workings of the main office firsthand today. All the years I spent in the classroom hadn't prepared me for how hard everyone is working in there! We had parents (do you realize how many languages your school support staff speak?) and kids needing to finish registering, kids who had moved and not told us and poor 7th graders trying to find their way around a new (bigger) school.

Russell was a great place to spend the morning, Michelle Dimas and I were there all morning (I left a 12:45, she left at 1:30) and I am much more tired than I remember being in the classroom!

My sad moment today came when one of my FFS (Favorite Former Students) came in to the Russell office to translate for her mom. She proudly introduced me and then announced that I would be her history teacher this year. I got a little teary when I had to tell her that I am in a new position at the DO. She was saddened, but I assured her that we had some AWESOME, newer, hipper and cooler teachers than I starting this year and she would be in great hands.

I am ending my day hoping all my new teachers enjoyed their first day of school. I can't wait to begin working together!

Beginning The Year: 07-08

I am sitting here in my living room, at 9:45 on the Sunday before the first day of school. It is totally weird knowing that tomorrow I will go to an office instead of the classroom for the first time in 13 years. My concerns tonight are for all our new teachers in the district, are they keyed up? Sipping a warm cup of tea and meditating to relax? Planning in their heads what they will say to the kids tomorrow?

I am inspired by the energy I saw from them in the past week, I know our district will only continue to get stronger and better as their potential blossoms!