This is all I can think about right now, so boring as it may be, I gotta get it off my chest.
So, I went back to work last Thursday. Teachers have SO much to do to get ready for the kids, I don't think anyone really has an idea. Amidst all of THAT, we have meetings, trainings, ARDs (for special ed. kids), LPACs (for ESOL kids), more trainings, Meet the Teacher, and believe me I could continue.
We lost a teammate to bigger and better things Friday, a week ago. So...add look at resumes, interview 4 people, and make a decision to hire one to my short list. So, we hire this wonderful new teacher. Great--we have so much to tell her.
She can't come into the building. Yes, you heard me. She has to be fingerprinted. All of us teacher folk were fingerprinted and FBI checked for security reasons (that makes complete sense to me), but let our new friend in the building please--legitimately, so we don't have to sneak around!! She missed Meet the Teacher last night and was in the building briefly today to drop of a load of stuff. She can come for a short time on Monday, but has to drive to New Braunfels to get fingerprinted (because our district's appointments were full) OR she could wait until Wednesday and have a sub the first 2 days of school. You would want your child in that situation, right? So...Monday she can come, but not for long, while she spends 5 hours in the car to get fingerprinted. Sweet. Oh, did I mention she's a preacher's wife? That adds a bit of humor, doesn't it?
So....I've been teaching for 13 years now and I've never had more than 21 students. I started with 17, then it was 19, then 23! 23 is one over the legal limit (and it's okay). Last night, during Meet the Teacher, I was given one more. 24 isn't okay. I lost one, gained one, we switched a few. (To make a class list, we look at: boy/girl, ethnic background, academic level, behavior issues, conflicts between students, high maintenance parents, special needs, etc.--it's not just a random drawing). We had 4 new first graders register the day of Meet the Teacher! As we are putting names on bulletin boards, homework folders, clothespins, writing folders, name plates, word walls, daily folders, etc., they're still pouring in!!)
**Register your children before the week school starts PLEASE. Don't contribute to this epedemic.**
A week ago, we each had 18ish. Today we each have 23. Two seasoned teachers, two brand new faces, and now it's looking like we'll have to hire another. That means the kids I'm already attached too, the kids I've already assessed, the kids I've speent 14 days making a relationship with and trying to build trust with--some of those kids, MY kids, will have to leave and go to yet another fresh face.
Each of us will be better off with fewer kids, but the transition is guaranteed to be challenging for each of us as well.
Wish us luck!
5 comments:
BREATHE!
Um, I don't know if I should have read all that or not.....so much to look forward to.
Hang in there, honey! I'll try to keep all of this in mind when my kids are school age...I sure don't want to end up as one of the "high maintenance parents"!! :)
I laughed out loud at "high maintenance parents". What do you have to do to get flagged? I'm sorry it is so crazy! I hope it settles down soon.
There's a new teacher at B's school, the district recruited him from Mexico, and he still has not been able to get into the country to start work due to passport (or visa?) issues! He has to not only learn about the school, but find a place to live and transportation, and school starts Tues and he's not even here yet! And they have to find a way to cover his classes till he can get here. Such a mess! I feel your frustration, hearing B's stories as well. Good luck with everything, and I hope it goes as smoothly as it can, considering!
(And thanks for your comment!)
You are an amazing teacher. Hang in there...if for no one else, for the sake of all those lucky kiddos who get the joy of having Mrs. Cook as their teacher. Love you. P.S. High Maintenance Parents RULE!
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