It happened this morning. My mind flipped. There had been little flashes of it throughout the summer. I went into the building twice. I opened up professional reading books. I wrote a couple of things down in my notebook. But this morning, it happened for real. My school mind came back!How do I know it came back for real? Well, I woke up at 6:30am for the first time in a long time. And I "needed" to get up. The first thought I had as I opened my eyes this morning was, "I wonder where the writing workshop book is?". As I looked for it (yes, I looked for it at 6:30am). I found another book that I had scavenged from the local area education agency and had never had time to look through. It's sitting waiting for me right now.
Trouble is, I still don't know what I am teaching for sure. Evidently, it's not important for high school teachers to know before workshop what classes they will be teaching during the coming school year! I am planning on Creative Writing, freshman English and Speech, but I really don't know. Well, I know I will teach Speech, I'm the only one qualified to teach it. But what about the rest?
However, I will be thinking and reading and writing about school these next few weeks--we start workshop on the 15th of August (ugh--seems waaaaaaay to early!). Students are back on the 18th. It's time for the mind flip...
Exactly! Except I'm already setting up some meetings with my teachers-we go back the same day you do, but many are going in already, getting started. I hope you share what books you like to read for prep. It would be interesting to hear about. Since August is not here yet, seems like we shouldn't be thinking about it already. I love when people think that teachers have 3 months of vacation-they just don't understand. Hope you find out soon what you're teaching!
ReplyDeleteI think it's horrendous that you don't know what you're teaching next year. I've worked with schools that wait to tell teachers 'til late in the summer and I think it does NOTHING to help teachers adequately prepare for the new year (especially when they get what they're unfamiliar with). Don't get me started... I could go on and on.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I'm sure you'll be ready to go no matter what your assignment is!
SAS
It seems the body follows the mind. You got up early because your mind is on that back to school track. What's wrong with these administrators? Don't they want well thought out courses or are they happy with just getting by mentality? I hope you get your class assignment soon. Enjoy your last days!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about the mind flip. It hasn't happened to me yet...but I know it will. This upcoming year seems to be a little easier for me as a working mom because all of my kids will be in school all day.
ReplyDeleteI start the same day as you. Yep, little sparks are flicking in my mind and I know one day soon I'll wake up with "the mind flip."
It's unfair not to know what you will be teaching. I hope that you will get the classes that you hope to get.
ReplyDeleteDon't go to school mode completely yet. Enjoy the summer.
I cannot, cannot believe that a school district would think so little of their students and teachers. They must know how many students they have for sessions. How can they get away with that? Well, I wish you the best in preparing for the "unknown". Aren't you glad you aren't a first year teacher?!
ReplyDeleteAhh, I'm feelin ya! My mind is definitely beginning to rev itself up. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I can't imagine not knowing at this point in time. Good luck as you prepare. We start on the 15th as well, and I'm starting to come around, to feel as though it will be okay when the summer draws to a close.
ReplyDeleteI love how you called it a mind flip. That really painted a very funny picture for me. If you saw my mind most of the time it would look like a fish out of water (flipping this way and that). It is how I function most of the time. I never totally let go of anything...I am glad you could at least for a little while.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that your mind can DO a flip when you don't know what you'll be teaching. It would drive me nuts to not know. We don't start until September (don't hate me, we had school until the last day of June), so my mind is nowhere near ready to flip. Love the visual that the word 'flip' presents in my mind.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's happening all over the place--and I start back when you do. I've already been in to work a couple days (extra work days this summer), but am trying to hang on to the last days of summer with as much strength as I can!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thought....mind flip. Is it ok if your switch keeps turning on and off? Good luck with your planning and preparation. I can't imagine how you get mentally prepared with such short notice. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments! Nice to know I am not along in starting early. And Mardie--I would certainly rather start early and get out early. Going until the end of June does not sound like fun!
ReplyDeleteI am planning on Creative Writing and freshman English along with my speech classes. If they surprise me, well, I'll punt!
Isn't it amazing how our mind wakes our body to begin the school year? You captured your thoughts and moments with a sense of urgency. MaryHelen
ReplyDelete