Posted in Random Musings
Holy Adaptability, Batman!
I feel like it has been forever since I have written a blog. I have a good reason though. A funny thing happened on the way to the start of my new school year. I got transferred. That’s right, exactly one week before the 1st day of school I was called into an office and told I was teaching 7th grade.
I went from teaching 30 students at an elementary 6th grade to 175 seventh graders at a middle school. If this wasn’t panic inducing enough I had to move my entire classroom to a new school and invent my curriculum. You read that right I have no curriculum. I am teaching the elective and was told I would have to create my own class.
Before anyone loses their mind on how outrageous my school district is. It really wasn’t their fault. The teacher who had been in my new position quit last Monday leaving them out in the cold. I have been moved to a school with a very bad reputation in the community. It is on its third principal in 3 years. However, the new principal has been in the district for over a decade. He was brought here to try to fix the school once and for all.
Suddenly without a teacher in his elective spot he was given a list with ten teachers names on it. The list was put together by the superintendent. It contained the names of teachers he thought would be able to quickly step into the position and not suck. I was on the list. He told me he wanted people who could change this school. People with a good reputation. Goodbye 6th grade.
After a few heart stopping moments of panic I sucked it up and welcomed the change. Afterall, I get to create my curriculum. I am teaching a class on creative writing and media arts. I get to do something new, exciting, and fun. It didn’t take me long to get excited. I stayed up until 4 am and worked on my plans. I figured out a rough outline of what I wanted the class to be and where I wanted to go with it.
Then I spent the rest of the week making my classroom look awesome (and clean. I hate dirty classrooms). When the first day of school rolled around I was completely jazzed. I have always embraced change. I like to do new and different things. I have prided myself on my ability to adapt and roll with the punches. This was a pretty big punch but I knew I was ready.
The first week has been wonderful. Honestly, I haven’t been this relaxed teaching in a long time. I am completely in my comfort zone. It helps the students have been excited about what we are going to be doing. On Wednesday a student walked up to me and said, “I know it’s only the third day but you are the most epic teacher I have ever had.” I think I am going to like this new home of mine.
