So you're a teacher, Now What?

As I write each blog,  I hope to give you a better understanding of just how much work goes into being a teacher, and allows you to see the journey through my eyes.  Every one's experience is different.  My hope is to provide resources, tips,  advice and support to my fellow teachers and to allow others to understand that teaching is not as simple as they paint it out to be in their minds.


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The school year is coming to an end, now what?

So with everything  we need to do to close out the school year, the state leaders decided it wasn't enough.   We have to prepare the students to take the State STAAR test.   What a joke?   It isn't bad enough that we have people who are not educators making up the test, now they don't have a clue as why it shouldn't be given at the end of the school year. Well,  let me tell you why,   the kids are basically on Summer mode, rowdy, checked  out  and ready for the year to be up.  Yet,  you want me  get them to focus for a state test. I have to figure out how to keep them focused and engaged. So what do I do to get them prepared.  I try to make test prep fun.

 I come up with games, and technology apps that will review the necessary skills that the test will cover.  I allow the students to work  in whole groups, in  partnerships or small groups to review and practice testing strategies.  I come up with challenges that the students engage in to out beat their classmates.  But most of all,  I try to assure them that it is only a test and progress and growth is my goal.   You see,  these kids are overwhelmed and somehow think this test makes or breaks them academically. They are so worried about passing or failing.  As a teacher,  I assure them that progress is the goal and that this is not the end all be all  that decides their academic success or failures.  It's a shame  the amount of pressure the  test  put on teachers, students and parents.  I just wish they would let us teach.  As if preparing for the  state test isn't enough.  I have the end of the year activities to manage as well.


What end of the year activities?

  1.  Grades
  2,  Classroom Inventories
  3.  Paperwork for  Tier intervention groups, tutoring groups
  4.  Professional Development Planning
  5.  Awards Ceremonies
  6.  Field day
  7.  End of the year party
  8.  Library check out list
  9.  Student portfolios
 10  End of year Testing for Reading, Spelling
 11. Student Data cards
 12. End of the year Checkout list  and so on and so on.

But wait,  as if this list isn't enough to do,  I also have to think about next school year.

I have to prepare for Moving Day.  What is Moving Day?


It is a day that our administration set up for  students to be able to meet their new teacher for the upcoming school year.   Even though I have to plan for this day. It is so awesome to have the opportunity to get to meet my future students before the new school year starts.

The students get to spend two hour with their new teachers.

What do we do with them?

I  usually create a bingo scavenger hunt, give reading, writing and math surveys to get an idea of students mindsets about those particular subjects.  I create a power point to introduce myself,  and I may  read First Day Jitters. The students get a chance to ask questions and peruse the classroom.   I also provide them with a Summer packet to keep them abreast of skills needed to be successful in fourth grade.

The end of the school year is very hectic so having 2 hours to  do something different is awesome and almost therapeutic.

 I  have the students  that are in my class, write letters to the incoming students telling them the things they need to know for fourth grade and what they need to know about their new teacher, Mrs. Lawson.  Reading their letters are hilarious.  Every year,  it amazes me as to how the students describe me.   After the two hours are up,  student's return back to their homerooms and we go about our day.  I officially  on this day go into planning for the new year.

So do you still want to be a teacher?
It's a calling, not a job.
It takes compassion, commitment, self reflection, understanding and most of all constant learning and training.