Back To Work

Monday I am officially back on contract and at school. Though I still have till the 25th before class begins. We have a week of inservices and time to work out all the workings of an elementary school. I believe that I am a little apprehensive about going back because May stress and exhaustion is still fresh in my mind. I thought by this time I would feel more rested and energized. God knows that for the last 11 weeks I have spent on my tush in the great recliner my dad handed down to me. I have spent many hours reading tons of books, surfing the web, playing the Sophie (yes she is in the recliner with me), watching tv/movies, taking naps and brainstorming ideas for the new school year. Though I did spend many hours on my mom's porch, which for some reason always feels 10 degrees cooler than what it actually is, and at the dog park. Don't get me wrong, I am excited for all the new additions and changes that have occured at our school, and there have been may, but I feel like I need just two more weeks and I will be fully recuperated from the last school year. Though at the end of the two weeks I may just say I need another two weeks. Though I am excited about a routine. I have been with out one for way too long. My daily routine being waking up at 5:15 to take the dog out and get ready for the day, go to work, work some more, get home at 5, cook/eat dinner, force myself to work out (that's the tricky one), read/TV/draw/grade papers/play with puppy and go to sleep. It gets repetitive but I feel comfortable and productive.

Some changes for this school year include lots of younger teachers, a new principal, new vice principal, and I am Fifth grade team leader. I have enjoyed working with every single one of my current and previous co-wrokers. They have all taught me a lot about the educational field. However I have always been the youngest by at least 15 years. There have been some other teachers around my age in other grade levels that I have had a great time getting to know and became good friends but I am excited to say that our school has hired 7 or 10 younger/new teachers. I am so excited to get the chance to work with some girls closer to my age range. We have a new principal and vice principal at our school this year. I was scared about another big change but meeting with them and discussing different issues I know they will be great and we will have a good year with them as admistrators. And finally, I am the fifth grade team leader. I am not sure if this is considered a promotion or not, but there is no pay raise and there are more responsibilities. I am confident that I will do well but I can be a bit passive aggressive and I think I will have to step out of my little comfort zone to some people. We will see!

This past week I have been going up to school and working in my room. I think I have all the walls/bulletins/ my desk/book shelves completed. I still have some organizing with my classroom library and student desks and text books. I want to get all this stuff done before next week so that I am not overwhelmed and prepared to help/meet with other people on our campus. I have some pics of my room last year. I hope it doesn't get this crowded and cluttered this year. I will post new pics of the room as soon as my room is done.

Good luck to my fellow teachers in the new school year. I am sure our blogs will all happen less frequently!