Everybody Wants You To Be Special

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We had our first 3rd grade pre-planning day this afternoon. We discussed many things I was curious about and it left me feeling satisfied, yet overwhelmed. I want to get this right from the beginning but I just feel like that isn't going to happen right away like I want.

I have volunteered to do the 3rd grade newsletter because I LOVE creating and designing. But I really hope I haven't made a mistake in my volunteering efforts. Ohhhh well! Bring it on!

We discussed AR books, which I've been nervous about. One of the other teachers said she has over 1,000 books in her classroom! I think I've collected around 30 so far. Note to self: CONTINUE TO BOOK SEARCH FOR CHEAP! (I've been fortunate enough to buy most of them for under $1.00.)

I have loads of ideas for activities this year. I'd share them but I feel like I first need to try them out before doing so. If they work then you'll hear about them! I shared one of my ideas with everyone else today and it seemed to go over well. Maybe they were just being nice. Yeah, probably that. I've already gotten the "oh wow-she's DEFINITELY a new teacher because she's WAY too enthusiastic." Was this a good or bad statement? Wait. Don't tell me.

The summer is zooming by and it doesn't show signs of stopping (Did anyone else just reference "Let it Snow" in their heads?) I'm going to be busy with in-service, pre-planning, setting up my room, workshops and orientations right up until we "actually" begin working. I get paid for some of it, thankfully!

Speaking of orientation, yesterday I had to go downtown and get my fingerprints, badge, background check, sign up for insurance and listen to some lady talk who I wasn't really listening to. (Did I just say that?) I'm fairly sure downtown will be seeing me again because my fingerprints didn't seem to take. I'm used to that though.

No more crazy dreams recently. Well, at least not about my classroom. I did have one the night before that involved baby sea lions in my yard, but that has nothing to do with school. So, nevermind.

I'll Wait Back Here

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I think the purpose in having this is to update it regularly. Or that was my initial intention. So, here we go...

Since you have last read this, I have 90% equipped my classroom. About .5 percent of that came from money the school gave, for which I am grateful for, but then 95.5% came from out of pocket expenses. *Groan* I've been warned how expensive being a teacher is and that was no joking matter. My classroom theme is polka dots. Don't laugh. My kids will love it. And if they don't then at least I will! Actually I think they'll love it because it's fun and eye-catching. Since my eyes are naturally drawn to anything pink I've done my absolute best in not making it too girlie. So much holding back! I think I've succeeded though. Believe that pictures will be coming! I'm looking forward to the day when I can carry everything into my classroom because it has easily taken up an entire wall in various boxes and storage containers.

Speaking of "my room," the principal was nice enough to escort me to it last week. It's massive, equipped with an office, a storage room and a "bonus" room. I don't know what I'll do with the extra bonus room but you won't find me complaining. Even though I have a lot of equipment things so far I imagine it will still look bare for a while. There's no possible way I could fill that place in the beginning. Then again, perhaps my eyes have deceived me. I did see the room in nude form so I imagine once it's placed with furniture and decor it will shrink to half it's size.

Wednesday I will be an official employee with my background check, fingerprints and badge.

Last night I had a dream that it was the first day of school and it was an utter failure. There was a hurricane and my room started flooding and the kids were chaotic. While I was trying to save all the beautiful decor in my room from it's ruin, my kids starting fighting and punching one another in a moment of chaos. I sat in a corner and cried as the other teachers came in my room to yell and tell me to control my kids. Turned out my room was the only one hit with a sudden hurricane, but of course I still received no sympathy from my fellow co-workers and the kids, naturally, took advantage of my vulnerability. A girl approached me in the corner and said "Mrs. Mason, I'll help you." Then she said "SHUT UP EVERYBODY! SHE'S CRYING!" The class staggered to their seats, the leaking stopped, the sun came out and then I woke up.

So what does this mean, dream interpreters?

It means that I need to stay home on hurricane days, forget my room decor if there's ever a leak, never cry in front of my kids and tell them to shut up when they are out of control. Right? No wait, have another kid tell the class to shut up so I don't get into trouble. Yeah, that's it.

I believe in yesterday

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On Friday I was jobless and unsure of the 2010-2011 school year. Disappointment has been following me, it seems, through my job applications and interviews. Seventy-something school resume's later and three school interviews behind my belt I was FINALLY offered a 3rd grade teaching position on Saturday.

I received a phone call on Friday to come in for the school interview on Saturday. Yes, strange they were conducting interviews on the weekend but I hardly gave it any thought. The interview went well and I was offered the job before I walked out the door. What a blessing. I wasn't expecting to find out so soon but God seemed to understand my panic with the last interview (which I didn't get) and He knew this was the right job for me.

I'm excited, nervous, eager and edgy. I hope to track all of my first year adventures via this blog, mostly for my own amusement. Maybe when I'm having a bad day I can look back and laugh at myself (or someone else...ahem. But, um, I would NEVER laugh at a student...)

Since I intend to keep this public, I am not revealing my name, the school I will work at or actual names of any students. So if you've been invited by me to read this blog please refrain from saying any of this information.

I feel like I have so much to do! Oh boy.