Update: The 2015/2016 school year

These ten months were kind of a blur. Below is a general summary of my first, and probably last, year teaching.

Part 2: The 2015/2016 School Year

I somehow got my classroom all set up before school started and I was so excited to make kids love math!

School started and I was way out of my league. I spent a lot of time in the summer thinking about what I needed for the classroom and how I would manage behaviors, but I should've spent way more time prepping the actual lessons. Duh, Jaci.

By the second week I was drowning in the responsibilities, but being overwhelmed was expected. I was at school until 5 pm almost every day, and I'd go home and work on lesson plans until 10 pm. I'd spend most of my weekends trying to get ahead for the next week. I spent most of my waking hours thinking about school and my piles of work. I dreamed about school on a regular basis.

As the school year continued, I changed things to make them work better for me and for my students. I learned to deal with problem students and even created a relationship with them. I balanced work and fun in my classroom. I created a positive relationship with my students. I tried to push them to become more independent. I tried to motivate them. I tried to help them. I tried so hard to make a difference.

By October, I knew I was in serious trouble. So much so I considered breaking my contract at Christmas. I talked to my principal, and he was very understanding. But he did open my eyes to the consequences of breaking my contract. After talking to him, the burden of being alone had been lifted, but I felt even more trapped than I had before.

I decided to finish the school year. Having a known ending date lifted my spirits. I stopped stressing and micromanaging so much. I had fun with my students without their learning suffering.

Although my attitude improved, I still had to put my head down and trudge through the storm. I like to think I fought valiantly, but I definitely could have worked harder.

I have so much respect for teachers, administrators, and all staff members in schools. They deserve so much more for all their efforts, but they are not there for the money or recognition.

I regret not using my degree more. But I am happy with my decision to move on. I learned so much and got to meet amazing people, and that made it worth it.