Educators with PRIDE Unite

[sis]

Well, the Grade One students start today ..... I only have to meet and greet them, introduce myself, and record their 'English' names! One class attended the school last year in a Bilingual setting; the other class is new to the school. I see copious amounts of in my future! lolol I hope everyone is enjoying the start-up to their school year!

Deb

[spritzerJ]

Sis... Have a blast and remember we'll have pen pals soon!

I have training today. As a teacher new to the district. It will involve the new writing curriculum. Which my previous school used. So I am more experienced than others (even the not newbies). I hope to learn a ton.

My room is nearly set up. Waiting on supplies to arrive. I let the secretary know I won't be freaking out until Friday. I went and bought pencils because I am pretty sure the supplies won't be there.

[Soon]

6 more days of summer for me and then DAY ONE.

It's cool that I already went in and copied syllabi and we don't have any pre-school meetings, so I can eke out my summer holiday to the very end.

I have a Grade 9, Grade 12, and Grade 11 (English) this semester--different levels of ability, and I'm really looking forward to the mix of students. We have the International Baccalaureate program at our school, so the school has a really diverse population of academic (not to mention socio/economic) levels. I could teach all IB, but I really enjoy teaching different levels and getting to know all different types of students. I have a good time with them and feel really lucky that I still enjoy my job so much. The kids can really tell when their teachers WANT to be there with them and makes all the difference in terms of classroom management and motivation etc.

Oh, if anyone has any cool Icebreakers or something neat you do on the first day, please pass along. I usually do a writing sample, but I'd like to do something fun too! Thanks and best to all in their new school year!

[spritzerJ]

Soon... I am thinking about the ice breaker activity. Since you have high schoolers pardon me if my suggestion is too elementary. I was thinking about the "don't eat the marshmallow" activity, discussion and writing afterwards. My 2nd graders will do something similar with a cookie monster video (me wait or something like that) and marshmallows.

http://http://www.teacherspayteacher...ctivity-301214

[Martina]

So we have a new Teach for America intern -- Special Ed. I have MAJOR issues with TFA, but I don't want to take them out on any individual.

And as I have gotten to know her, I find that I like her. She's not from an Ivy, she's a woman of color, and she is actually getting a Master's in SPED. The typical TFA intern is Ivy educated, white, and filling out her resume before she leaves after two years to become a lawyer or investment banker. TFA treats teaching as a volunteer position, not like a profession.

Also these folks almost never stay. In the mean time, they are so privileged and so out of their depth that they are sponges for support. They have NO shame about asking -- nay, demanding help -- and are rarely more than perfunctorily grateful.

So today the TFA intern is with a student and comes to me for help. She wants it NOW. I stop and help her because Wednesday is my light day and I want to be available to her when I can. So I gave her what she asked for, but she didn't understand it. I said I could explain it, but you are with the student now, right? Yes, she said. I said I have nothing that is transparently understandable that I can give you right now. She gives me the look that any gently raised 22 year old college graduate would give an elder -- the one that says, "You've failed me."

God, help me. I am not good with these folks. With my students, I am good. Lots of patience. With demanding entitled twenty-somethings, not so much.

[Okiebug61]

On a good note! Red is settling in to her new school and so far all is well. The kids are of course taking advantage of the new teacher and trying their best to tell her things they are allowed to do which of course consists of nothing that is true. LOL. She teaches 5th grade and has cafeteria duty on Tuesdays with the 6th graders who found out real quick not to mess with the short red-headed new teacher. They attempted to ignore her warnings so they all got to spend the remainder of their lunch break writing a paragraph of why they should follows the cafeteria rules. I kind of know how they felt. :-)

[sis]

TGIF

This week has been a ride! LOLOL I have two groups of 30 students each - some have very basic English speaking skills, the others have considerably less to none. But, I can tell you, they are no different in nature that any child where ever you live in the world. Typically, I have a couple of firecrackers, a few who are missing mama, a handful of bossy pants (much like myself when I was a kid!), several who are stunned at being in an English environment, etc. All in all, it looks like its going to be an interesting year. Bring on the !!! lol

Have a great weekend - mine starts within the hour!

Deb