Sucky October

October sucks.

I love my kids, my fellow teachers, & my school, but I am tired. I'm tired of not yielding fabulous test results, not being the greatest teacher to walk the planet, not having perfectly perfect lesson plans created each day, etc. I mean, are my expectations completely unreasonable??

Yes, yes they are...at least, they are for me, a first-year teacher with no background in education.

Fort Worth ISD math assessment grades - class average was a 53% :(

I've come to the realization that teaching is a combination of 1)experience, 2) fabulous organizational skills, & 3) great internalization/knowledge of the content being taught. I'll get there.

Focusing on my strengths in the classroom has helped keep me more positive. I've been adorning my classroom with TCU decor, investing my students in their future by talking about college & "dream" job goals. I'm bonding with my students; I care deeply for them, & I *think* they are beginning to connect with me.

Thank goodness October is almost over.

Fantastic 5 - method used for math word problems

some classroom rules...

TCU investment

Trying to reach that high level of blooms!

Name tags for desks

Goals-oriented behavior management tracker

class goals poster

goals are placed on every test :)

Kids, we're going to college.

Today, my students told me that they have moms & dads that work 3 a.m. to 8 p.m.

My heart broke for them.

As a teacher, I have assumed the role as a "mom" - type figure. I never realized this would be part of my role as a teacher. How terrifying.

I attempt to incorporate real-life connection to each lesson I teach, & understand that this is more important than ever, since parents are away, working to support the family. Here's a poster I made tonight:

 

Kids, we're going to college.

"y will always keep on trying"

Teaching has left me with little time to just be outside the classroom. When times get rough, I have to refer myself back to this note my student wrote me:

"At first I was nervous but then my teacher started being nice to me. When I first got here and then I started liking what she started teaching us but I still miss my last year teacher but I am happy because I have a better teacher who is always pushing me around to always do my best in everything, like if I am not good at something then I will always keep on trying even if they don't tell me. I will always no matter what I will never ever give up on them just like I know they will never give up on me no matter what and I will love them more if they teach me more so I can have my brain filled with a lot of facts and some fun stuff."