My kids went back to school a few weeks ago, and Monday it’s my turn.
Yes: I got a teaching job. Woot!
Now I can honestly say I’m a real-life full-time classroom teacher with my very own class. Le sigh. It’s a goal I’ve spent the better part of the last year working towards, and I’m truly thrilled to have achieved it. So there’s a lot of relief and contentment there. I’ve been into my new school, and I can truly say the other teachers and the admin staff are among the nicest, most welcoming group I’ve had the pleasure to meet. And the students in my class are polite, respectful and bright. It promises to be a very good year.
There’s just the one thing: I was hired to teach grade nine. Normally I’m an elementary teacher, so grade nine is a little outside my normal expertise. The good news is that among the grade nine teaching team, we divide the core subjects according to our own strengths. So I teach Humanities (Language Arts and Social Studies) to both grade 9 classes, and the other grade 9 teacher takes Math and Science. Also, because I’m filling in for a teacher on a maternity leave, I have all of her materials and plans from prior years to draw on. So, although I’m still very busy getting caught up on the grade 9 provincial curriculum, I do have a lot of resources at my disposal.
It’s definitely going to be a busy time, but I’m so looking forward to getting settled in my own classroom – oh yeah, about that. The school is still undergoing renovations, and my classroom isn’t finished yet, so my class and I are temporarily housed in a storage room behind the library! So, the quarters are tight for now, but the kids are fantastic. I’ve been in to meet them twice now, and I have to say; I am impressed. These kids were polite, interested, bright and respectful.
So all in all, I’d say it’s going to be a good year, and I’m very excited (even if I am a little bit nervous) to get started.
maria says
Congrats & good luck! I’m sure you’ll do well & have lots of fun doing it!
Sarah says
Yeah Yeah!!! Congrats on your job:)
I started working in Junior High this year- I’ve always been an Elementary teacher. It’s such a crazy change, but super awesome! I bet you’ll just love the different relationship you get to have with older kids.
But the work, hey? I forgot how much work it is to teach new subjects! Good luck- you’ll have a great year!!