Hi there- Jon from Navigating Solutions here. I took a bit of a break to spend time with my family over the summer. Thank you for giving that grade. It has been a nice time but alas, I am ready to begin writing blogs once again. I hope you enjoy this latest from N.S.
As a member of the Education "club," I cannot help but reflect upon the feelings that still hit me as the summer clock swings forward. July is truly the only uninterrupted month for most folks in public education. A month of no alarm clocks, and early morning sun touching your face in the morning. It is a time of long warm (to hot) days and lots of outside activities.
Then, without much warning, it happens. The calendar slides from July 31st to August 1st. For people in public education it is the school alarm for teachers and staff to start getting ready for the next group of students. I do remember the feeling of anticipation when the month of August began. Soon, the classrooms will be completely cleaned and put back together by the summer custodial staff. The work of putting up bulletin boards and creating a classroom that is aesthetically pleasing is the first step. Teachers begin taking this somewhat of a blank canvas and transfer it into the unique place where you begin working with your next group of students. There are class rosters to go over as well as specific classroom areas to set up for each of them. As the weeks of August flow downriver, lesson planning and copying of materials begins. You will open new materials and supplies, al the while continuing to organize for the first day. This is all in preparation for the new students you will be getting. It is a huge task that does not go unnoticed.
When your students come, most will be a little nervous. You, as the teacher will help each of them to feel comfortable as you get to know them within the first couple of weeks. The relationships will start to be built, which is critical. Why? Because this will be an extension of you family for the next nine months. You will not only work with this new batch of kiddos on academic skills but also on manners and how to be socially appropriate with each other. You will guide them for almost a whole year to become the best version of themselves they can. The skills you teach each of the students is too monumental to list out.
Os sure, there will be glitches and days when students are not getting along. You will take care of that as well. If you teach or work with primary students, you will be teaching them the "system" of how to "do" school. You will guide them through lunch lines, practice fire drills and how your schedule works. For teachers who have older students, although they understand the basic set up of the school system, there are still routines to learn and run through. Then, the academic magic begins. You will teach each of them for nine months. You will go home tired but hopefully fulfilled with what you are accomplishing. It is a great job, very hard but great!
I do miss much of it all from when I was in the classroom. I am glad you are there for the students. I am glad there are the dedicated people such as you who want to make a positive difference in the lives of students. You have such an important job. Thank you for choosing to come back each year. I hope your August goes well and you feel the accomplishment each day while you are getting ready for the first day of students.
Until next time, this is Jon from Navigating Solutions signing off.
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