Celebrate This Week: My New Perspective on Teaching

Tonight marks the beginning of the weekend and most of us are excited about the 2 days off!  As I think about the weekend my mind rushes past the days off and right to the week ahead.  You see, this Monday I will step into my classroom as I have done all year, but this Monday I will walk into a dark room.  I will walk into a room waiting to be opened and prepped for the day.

Our class has had the benefit of having a student teacher all year… until today.  Today we celebrated her accomplishments and wished her well as  she moves onto the hunt for her very own classroom.

Having a student teacher share your class and your space can make a teacher a bit dependent.  I can't help feeling a bit anxious when I picture Monday morning.  I imagine myself standing in that dark door way frozen in fear! 

Will I remember to:

• turn on the lamps
• gather ALL teaching materials
• set up the tables with student work mats
• choose read aloud books 
• login to the computers
• pair blue tooth speaker with iPad
• turn on projector 
• tune on document camera
• sharpen pencils
• change the student jobs
• compose a morning message
• refill paper trays for writers workshop
• answer parent emails
• refill caffeinated beverage
• visit the ladies room
• greet the kids at the door
• take attendance
• check in books
• schedule reading groups
• confer with kids
• watch the morning announcements
• send the kids to lunch, recess, special
• and ….

Hmm… What am I forgetting?  Only Monday will tell.

I am sure you're wondering how this post fits the celebration linkup by now.  I am celebrating the opportunity to share a class and a classroom with a student teacher and my new perspective on teaching.  

As I guided and coached our student teacher I noticed~

• teaching isn't as easy as it appears
• coaching isn't as easy a it appears
• thinking on your feet as a teacher isn't easy
• thinking on your feet as a coach isn't easy
• choosing a teaching point is challenging
• choosing a coaching point is challenging
• getting to know students is crucial
• getting to know student teachers is crucial
• reflection is essential to teaching
• reflection is essential to coaching
• it isn't easy being a student
• it isn't easy being a coach
• this job takes grit!

So Monday, when I stand in that cold dark doorway I will take a deep breath, mumble some self talk and step inside, not with trepidation, but with perseverance and bravery.
Wish me luck!