Week 1: Time to bust out the Vera Bradley Lunch Box

The littlest things can make me happy.

So, I planned on updating my blog daily but I am beyond exhausted by the time I get home. Instead of daily updates, I am planning on posting weekly. As mentioned, I am not a morning person. In order to make sure I am bright-eyed and bushy tailed each morning, I have declared a new bedtime for myself, 10:30pm. Although this seems like plenty of time to get all of my work and planning completed after school, it really is not. You see, I get home at about 5:00pm each night. Naturally, the minute I get home I can be found under the covers taking what is known as the "college power nap." So by the time I rise from my slumber, I have to make some dinner and attend to schoolwork. Before you know it, it's approaching bedtime and I still have to iron my clothes and pack my lunch in my new Vera Bradley lunch box, which is adorable if I do say so myself.

Enough about my schedule, let's get to the good stuff. Here are the highlights of my first week. When I arrived on Monday, many of my students asked me where I had been on Friday. They said they missed me so much (mind you, I had only met them twice). I have not started any official teaching but I am not just sitting and observing either. I would consider myself more of an aid at this point. I walk around the room and help students when they need it. I also grade papers, walk the kids to specials, work with small groups, and deal with some management issues. I did get to administer Friday's spelling test. I also introduced a word wall football game to my class. This game was such a hit that in our planning periods I was sharing it with the other teachers!

Next week, I will be taking over all of spelling. Instead of having my kids do bookwork, I have some fun ideas to help them practice their spelling words and recognize patterns within words. I guess Remedial Reading was worth it! I have plenty of ideas for word work!

My cooperating teacher and I get along so well. She is a wonderful mentor. She is so appreciative of everything I do. She told me she sees me as more of a co-teacher than a student teacher. When we had our orientation meeting with my center coordinator she told her that I was the cream of the crop! She said I was doing a wonderful job and she is going to miss me already. I am glad to see I have made a good first impression.

I know in my heart that teaching is the right profession for me. Although it is stressful and demanding, I have walked out of school each day with a smile that is stretched from ear to ear! I am aware that not all days will be great, but the good days certainly outweigh the bad!

Teaching Lesson from Week 1: WEAR COMFY SHOES