teaching

I'm in the midst of preparing for my fifth year as a classroom teacher. I'm also preparing to work at my fifth school, in my third school district, and for my sixth principal! Moving around so much has definitely had it's sucky parts, but it also has shown me what a variety exists in public schools.

I've mostly worked with lower income students. Two of my past, and my current, schools have been Title I, and the other two were for the children of lower enlisted soldiers. I've had all kinds of principals, and prefer a more hands on and actually helpful principal instead of the kind that pretty much seems to do nothing. I've also taught a class with a huge group of English Language Leaners, as well as classes of fully native speakers.

Yesterday, I thought of my teaching experiences in contrast with LIW's. She started teaching at 16, and had some students as old as she was. She taught in a one room school and was responsible for teaching everything to everyone. I haven't read the books in a while so I don't remember the details, but I have a hazy memory of one of her teenage boys bringing a bull whip to school. I did have a student with a knife one day, but he was smart (stupid?) enough to leave it in his backpack and not show off in front of everyone.

So far, I feel very good about my new school. I'm a little apprehensive about the student population, just because there's really no way to know what it's like until we start and I meet my kids. The staff seems great so far though. I have a grade level chair, and she and I have been emailing back and forth and are setting up a day to meet and have lunch. She's been very welcoming. The principal seems friendly, helpful, and very experienced with our population. I've also met a couple other teachers, and they all said good things about the school.

I have new teacher orientation next Thursday and Friday, then three work days the first week of August, and the first day of school is August ninth!