I am in serious disbelief that there only only twenty two and a half days left of school. I will soon have my first year as a teacher complete! I'm feeling similar to how I felt this time last year. It's a little bittersweet, I'm ready for the summer break but I'm going to miss my kiddos!
A year ago at this time I had finished my internship in a second grade class and thought I was prepared for my own classroom. I was prepared but also not prepared.. it's a lot more than you expect at first! I have learned SO MUCH through this first year teaching, and no, I don't mean how to lesson plan or how to organize centers, I mean real life lessons.
My first year teaching has taught me
How to balance work and life
because no, work is not my life, it's only a portion of it. The first half of my year was spent working 6:30am-6:00 pm and bringing work home, everyday including weekends. It's not healthy, it had to stop, and it did. I now realize the importance of not letting work take over friendships, health and happiness.
What a kind word can mean to someone of all ages
My kids respond so much better when my classroom is filled with positivity and not just the negative. It's not just my kids though, their parents do as well. Be kind! People crave it.
That great things happen in time, not overnight.
Patience, dear, patience. I thought I was spinning in circles growing kids in their reading level. Come mid year benchmark my RB student was at a G .. I know that means nothing to most people- what it means, she grew 7 reading levels in a matter of months. That is AWESOME. Good things come when you put in the effort and give it time.
That I will always be a student
I learn something new from my students and coworkers every single day
The importance of coworkers and collaboration
My coworkers, more specifically the first grade team, have become like a second family. I honestly don't know if I could do my job with out the support from them. Just giving each other that "knowing" smile when you pass in the halls makes all the difference.
Well that's all for today. I'm off to work to learn more lessons of course(: Happy Wednesday!
Congratulations on finishing off your first year! All these learnings resonate with my job too, especially that I will always be a student and the importance of coworkers. I don't think a day goes by that I don't ask a question of my seasoned coworkers.
ReplyDeleteI feel you girl. Im on year two and I learned a whole new sort of things!
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I've thought of doing a similar post myself!
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