Hopes for the First Year of Teaching

The first year of teaching brings a slew of new challenges to the hands of teachers entering the classroom for the first time. I want to take my learning step by step. My main goal in this journey is to practice reflective teaching. As Henry Ford once said, "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently." The great thing about teaching is that we get a chance to learn from mistakes and make changes the next time around. By being reflective, I can constantly work to improve in my teaching. I also hope to always do what is right for my students. My work is about kids, and I will try my best to keep them at them at the forefront of my decisions. Finally, I hope to finish the year as a better teacher than when I started. I recognize that it is unrealistic to want to be perfect in all aspects of teaching after the first year. In the classroom, this first time around, I am going to focus on classroom management and planning engaging lessons. Because I believe in establishing a balance between work and home life, I can also improve as a teacher by making time for me outside of the classroom. If I take care of myself, I can better take care of those around me. I am going to put everything I have into my teaching, then I will relax and take advantage of all that these Colorado mountains have to offer.

As I dive head first into this ring of fire, I fully expect to find stumbling blocks. I will have to keep in mind the words of my friend, Michael Johnston: "The depth of the challenges is outweighed by the power of the impact!"

Room Set-up

Setting up a room is an adventure in itself! Who knew that what kids see on their first day of school takes so much problem solving and brain strain from the teacher? I have been impressed, honestly, by the challenge of setting up a first grade classroom.

I began with my furniture. I needed to find the best position for tables, shelves, and chairs so as to be able to see all students at all times (which is not the easiest task with a half-wall that divides the classroom). Meanwhile, I had to consider the places in the room for my whole group lessons and my small group lessons. Quite the complication!

The next step for me was deciding what I was going to use my bulletin boards for and how I was going to format them. I knew I needed a Crew (or class community) board, a math board, and word walls. I also decided that I needed to establish a board that focuses on our small group lessons and goals. Walls indeed are an evolving entity in a classroom. It will be interesting to see what they become...