I Need to Blog

What's this, another post? Imagine that.

Well, Jess is on "long call" which means she will be at the hospital until at least 8pm, usually longer. These "long call" nights usually end in the girls and me going to bed before she gets home. So tonight, I actually find myself sitting down (trying to stave off a headache) and although there is a lot I could be doing, I realized that I MISS blogging so much. I don't even know that I have anything to say in this post, but I just had to open up blogger (trying to get used to the new layout) and type. So here I am.

I could talk about how Layne caught the stomach bug that was going around her class and mine (three of the kids in my class alone were send home after vomiting their lunch all over the classroom ). And how she and I stayed home from school on Tuesday, because she barfed all day Monday, essentially ruining any Labor Day plans we may have had (which we didn't ). Or I could talk about how I went on Sydney's field trip to the Clinton Library today. And how the Elvis exhibit was sorely disappointing. But those just seem a little boring. So hey, let me tell you a little about my new job and the kids in my class.

I realized that I really love to teach. Who knew that way back in elementary school when I said I wanted to be a teacher, it's what I'd actually end up doing. I don't have my teaching credentials - a BS and MS in Biology isn't sufficient education. However, because I *do* have my master's, I'm eligible to apply for the teaching licensure for "non-trads". That's another way of saying that I can waive the first test required for earning credentials if my graduate grades and GRE scores meet the requirements to do so. Essentially, it gives me one less test in which to study. So I decided that because I'd really rather teach science instead of transition kindergarten, I really need to get credentialed. So I've requested transcripts from my alma mater, and purchased a study guide for the second test that I *will* have to take. I'm hoping to take the required classes in the spring semester so that I can be fully credentialed by the time school starts next fall. We'll see ...

As for my class, I have 18 students and most of them are great kids - well, they are all great kids, some just have habits that make my job as his teacher a little more challenging. Now I know classes of all ages have their difficult students, so I just have to figure out how to manage them. Unfortunately, we are learning together, the kids and I, so it is a lot of trial and error. But the rest of the class is patient with me. And I have two awesome assistants that are there for me when I need them. Of the 18 kids in my class, four have some sort of therapy in which they have to leave class with a therapist for a chunk of time where they miss the lesson I'm teaching. I know it's only preK, so it's not a big deal for me or for them. But it does disrupt the class, the rest want to know why he gets to go "play" and then don't. Although at this point, they are all getting used to it and when a certain therapist walks into our room, some of the kids say "xxx, you have to go now." Three of the kids in my class that require therapy need it for speech or OT. The forth child has all kinds of therapy, likes of which I don't understand. He has issues that I don't have a clear comprehension of, except to know that he is a challenge more than just the usual behavioral problems. When talking to my boss about him recently, she asked "you are asking yourself, 'why is he here?' right?" I said, "no, I know exactly *why* he is here. He's here because our school is like a big family - so nurturing and comforting and an environment in which children who have failed in other schools, thrive here." And although I have to remind him again and again (and again!) what he is supposed to be doing, I think this school will be good for him. But as I said to my boss, I just don't know what to do for him. I don't have experience teaching, never mind teaching children who need that extra attention. Although, I told my boss I would give it my all - if not for her, then for that little guy who just wants to learn.

So wish me luck or send positive thoughts. School is only three weeks in and I have my hands full. If I didn't love it so much, I would curse the day I accepted the position. It will give me insight, it will give me experience. And most of all, it will also give me the tools and means to do it again next year.