As it's been a couple weeks now, I feel like I'm settling into my new role. I've been stopped by numerous colleagues who ask "How are you liking the new gig?" The easy answer is "It's great! Yeah, I love it." And don't get me wrong, I do. But a change is still a change, and I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been an adjustment. So, as I'm reflecting on these first few weeks, I thought I'd share some thoughts...
One: Spending more time out of the classroom is weird. This is my 8th year teaching. Every year up to this point I've had 5 or 6 sections, each with 30ish students. So being used to 150+ students, teaching only 42 is weird. I try to think of a different word to use each time, but weird is what seems to fit best. There are the obvious perks - less grading, etc - and I'm hopeful with less students I'll be able to build stronger relationships. But if I'm being honest, I sort of miss those extra 100 kids. In a big school like Neuqua, the more kids you know, the more connected you feel.
Two: I've already learned sooooo many new things, but there are still so many things I still don't know. Part of this position is being able to help support colleagues with questions, and there are lots of questions I don't know the answer to. I'm supposed to be helpful and here I am not feeling very helpful sometimes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I've helped a handful of colleagues develop new ideas and incorporate new technologies in their classrooms, and that is so so fun. Also, my google-ing skills are really improving!
Three: In this role, I have a lot more time on my hands. It seems as if teachers are perpetually busy. Often times skipping lunch, staying late, or bringing work home. With less classes, a natural consequence is less prep work, so the busy-ness I'm used to has changed. That being said, I have more time to explore and develop ideas. How often as a teacher do you have a great idea, only to realize the time and effort it would take to make happen. In the past, these ideas had get pushed to the side just so I could stay prepped for the next class and maybe the next day. Now I have time to develop these ideas and see them grow, and that excites me.
All that being said, I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to grow in this role. They say the only constant in life is change, and this was a change I was ready for. I'm going to keep adapting and adjusting as necessary. I'm looking forward to new challenges and adventures in the world of technology and in my role supporting colleagues. I hope you'll continue to follow along to see where this adventure takes me... stay tuned!
One: Spending more time out of the classroom is weird. This is my 8th year teaching. Every year up to this point I've had 5 or 6 sections, each with 30ish students. So being used to 150+ students, teaching only 42 is weird. I try to think of a different word to use each time, but weird is what seems to fit best. There are the obvious perks - less grading, etc - and I'm hopeful with less students I'll be able to build stronger relationships. But if I'm being honest, I sort of miss those extra 100 kids. In a big school like Neuqua, the more kids you know, the more connected you feel.
Two: I've already learned sooooo many new things, but there are still so many things I still don't know. Part of this position is being able to help support colleagues with questions, and there are lots of questions I don't know the answer to. I'm supposed to be helpful and here I am not feeling very helpful sometimes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I've helped a handful of colleagues develop new ideas and incorporate new technologies in their classrooms, and that is so so fun. Also, my google-ing skills are really improving!
Three: In this role, I have a lot more time on my hands. It seems as if teachers are perpetually busy. Often times skipping lunch, staying late, or bringing work home. With less classes, a natural consequence is less prep work, so the busy-ness I'm used to has changed. That being said, I have more time to explore and develop ideas. How often as a teacher do you have a great idea, only to realize the time and effort it would take to make happen. In the past, these ideas had get pushed to the side just so I could stay prepped for the next class and maybe the next day. Now I have time to develop these ideas and see them grow, and that excites me.
All that being said, I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to grow in this role. They say the only constant in life is change, and this was a change I was ready for. I'm going to keep adapting and adjusting as necessary. I'm looking forward to new challenges and adventures in the world of technology and in my role supporting colleagues. I hope you'll continue to follow along to see where this adventure takes me... stay tuned!
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