So. Chris and I can both officially say we are full-time teachers. Officially. We've made it through the first (half) week, and are savoring the free hours until our second (full) week. Here's what I learned, three days in. And no, these lessons are not brilliant or original. Some I even knew before I started teaching, but it's great to see them reaffirmed.
1. This is a great place to begin a teaching career. Why? A really high percentage (i.e. most) of our students are fabulous. My AP students tore apart a rhetorical text about two days in, twisting and turning through the strange rhetorical moves the author makes. (If you want to see what they worked on, check this out. It's worth the 3 minutes.) The Grade 9 students are likewise eager to please. One of my experienced members of Yearbook spent 40 minutes after class catching me up to speed on how the class normally operates. Who's teaching who here?
It's also a great place to work because of our daily schedule: Assembly (8:30-8:50am), two class periods, tea break (10:35-10:50am), two class periods, lunch (12:30-2:10pm!), two class periods. The schedule's cushy enough as it is, but I also have 1-2 prep periods throughout the day. Listen up, American schools: this schedule helps teachers stay sane!
2. Teaching rocks. I'm always nervous before a class, but no other career can keep me as energized and enthused as teaching. There's something about that magic of discussion, and the aha! moments, and the ability to teach something you're passionate about... Even on bad days, at least it's interesting. :)
3. Teachers work all the time. Another obvious lesson, but now that I'm in the thick of it I see just how much teaching takes over your life. Even when I'm not actively planning or teaching, I'm usually thinking about it -- whether about how I should phrase a definition of irony, or what my student said that charmed or upset me, or how I can make that next class better.
Despite constant work, we found time to play this weekend. On Friday, we shared a delicious meal with new staff at a returning staff family's house -- loads of fun despite getting soaked on the hike up. (It's monsoon!) Chris and I spent most of Saturday with another new staff member, Julia, at the buzz, shopping, shopping, shopping, and eating some delicious Southern Indian food called dosas. Sunday was sunny and beautiful, which sent me out for a run with friends and a walk with Chris. I like this life.
Because I've blabbed too long, here are some pictures!
love, mel
1. This is a great place to begin a teaching career. Why? A really high percentage (i.e. most) of our students are fabulous. My AP students tore apart a rhetorical text about two days in, twisting and turning through the strange rhetorical moves the author makes. (If you want to see what they worked on, check this out. It's worth the 3 minutes.) The Grade 9 students are likewise eager to please. One of my experienced members of Yearbook spent 40 minutes after class catching me up to speed on how the class normally operates. Who's teaching who here?
It's also a great place to work because of our daily schedule: Assembly (8:30-8:50am), two class periods, tea break (10:35-10:50am), two class periods, lunch (12:30-2:10pm!), two class periods. The schedule's cushy enough as it is, but I also have 1-2 prep periods throughout the day. Listen up, American schools: this schedule helps teachers stay sane!
2. Teaching rocks. I'm always nervous before a class, but no other career can keep me as energized and enthused as teaching. There's something about that magic of discussion, and the aha! moments, and the ability to teach something you're passionate about... Even on bad days, at least it's interesting. :)
3. Teachers work all the time. Another obvious lesson, but now that I'm in the thick of it I see just how much teaching takes over your life. Even when I'm not actively planning or teaching, I'm usually thinking about it -- whether about how I should phrase a definition of irony, or what my student said that charmed or upset me, or how I can make that next class better.
Despite constant work, we found time to play this weekend. On Friday, we shared a delicious meal with new staff at a returning staff family's house -- loads of fun despite getting soaked on the hike up. (It's monsoon!) Chris and I spent most of Saturday with another new staff member, Julia, at the buzz, shopping, shopping, shopping, and eating some delicious Southern Indian food called dosas. Sunday was sunny and beautiful, which sent me out for a run with friends and a walk with Chris. I like this life.
Because I've blabbed too long, here are some pictures!
love, mel
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| looking intense on the eyebrow path |
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| a reminder of the danger of mountain life: landslides |
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| a view from the chukker |
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| as usual, tons and tons of monkeys |
You're making me miss teaching this year, Melanie! And our semester hasn't even started yet. I'm so happy that you're loving it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, teaching is cool when the students don't suck.
DeleteThanks, Christine! It's great to like what we're doing, but we're missing our favorite neighbors!! :(
DeleteCool update. ProofreadingPal misses both of you.
ReplyDeleteWe'll back with PPal soon enough!
DeleteGlad to see you are quickly settling in. Having done it in far less exotic places, it is not always easy. Be well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patti!
DeleteYour enthusiasm for teaching makes me feel like a bad sport for how much I am dreading TA'ing statistics this fall ... but then again, I never in any way claimed to be good at sport, sports, sporting, or being sporty. Well, okay. Maybe being sporty. And a smooth-talker. And a snappy-dresser ...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad you're having fun and your work is so rewarding!
You need to somehow put together the cash to come out here. Rob a bank. Wait, no, too risky. Clearly you're not capable of that.
DeleteMug a hobo. But he won't have enough money. Mug hundreds of hobos--then you might have enough.
OK, so get hobo muggin' and then we'll talk.
Hey Tim, no comparisons! I thought teaching was overwhelming during the PhD too -- it's hard to keep your own research/courses going and also have to focus on other people. Very different scenario. :)
DeleteChris:
DeleteWhat if I seduced a banker named Rob and convinced him to pay for my trip? That's almost the same? That's badass, too, right?
RIGHT?
....
What if I did that, but then instead of telling the lame truth, I later described the story in the way of John Rambo...
Thanks Mel!
DeleteThat's a really good point. If I could really focus on teaching, instead of having to teach and do eighteen other things (e.g., go to class, run statistics, plan multiple studies, put two coats of fresh paint on my advisor's summer home, etc.), it would be a whole different ballgame...
I enjoy hearing your thoughts about teaching there and teaching here. I can relate to your comment about how teacher's work all the time. In my profession, counseling, I experience that kind of ongoing process too. Especially when I'm prepping for a 3 hour group therapy session that includes teaching curriculum as well as facilitating deep emotional work.
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm is infectious and energizing. Thx!
Thanks for your comments, Aunt Joan! I can easily see how counseling would have the same effect. It's tough to have that type of job, but also rewarding. Hope all is well in Maine!
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you're enjoying Woodstock School's "fabulous" students and a teaching schedule that includes ample breaks and prep time! A wonderful way to start off your teaching career :o)
ReplyDeleteI know you're working hard, per usual, but it's also great to know that you're having fun and embracing this exciting new world. It must be awesome to go running or hiking in your area because the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. Where do you usually run? On paved areas or on dirt trails, reminiscent of your Cross County meets?
Thanks for your update and pictures. I'm looking forward to spending more time with you and Chris via this blog.
Love ~ Mommy xo
Thanks mom! It is beautiful around here, but running is hard b/c I'm not fully adjusted to the altitude yet... A few more weeks... I run on top of the mountain around the "chukkar." It's paved up there. I'm hoping that eventually I can run around the trails on the mountainside. We'll see. :)
DeleteMelanie, your post reminded me of our wiki posts for Methods Reading! As stressful and hectic as teaching may get, there's just something about the classroom that makes it all worth it. It sounds like you have an awesome group of kids - you're both so lucky! :) And I agree with Chris... teaching is awesome when you don't have punks for students ;)
ReplyDeleteWiki posts!! Yes, you're right -- those held all our anxieties and excitements. Great kids, but like any teaching post, it's up and down. Hope you're having a blast in Colorado!
Delete