Teacher Workday reflections

                                         

Thursday's Open House went exceptionally well... I was impressed by what appeared to be more than half of the school's parents (possibly even 75% of them) and students showing up for the Open House, standing outside in the heavy afternoon heat, as early as 30 minutes early. We could not let them in, though, because teachers were still getting their rooms into order, and needed every minute of the day given to them.

The doors promptly opened at 7 p.m.

Kids and parents were smiling... I was too. One little fella ran up to me and hugged me, "Mrs. Gilmore!" he said with such glee. Last year during Open House, beginning my first year here, one of the things I missed most about starting in a new school was familiar faces ... none of the kids knew me, so there were no hugs or smiles of recognition from them. This year, it's nice having them smile at me first! And the hugs are sweet.

Today, I spent the day looking at schedules, plans, and spent too much time getting to know our new server on the internet. Everything is different about it, and I'm sure that once I get used to it, it won't seem so awkward and difficult.

I will have to get the stand on which the monitor sits lowered, though, because it is raised too high for my short stature. I can see hours of neck pain if I sit at it too long.

There were some changes in my schedule for the first two weeks, but I will adjust to them. After that, I should be back on the schedule I had originally anticipated.

Teachers have to turn in their lesson plans before they go home every Friday. I stayed in my classroom until mine were finished... it was 5:30 when I went home. I've got to do better than this next week! Still, for me, 5:30 is good.

But if I do run until that late in the afternoon, I will have a good reason to stop at the Gym on the way home. The cardio and upper body work out starts at 5:30, and it's just around the corner from my school. Muscles getting sore from not working them like I had been doing between April and June. Need that routine again.

Thank you all for your support and positive comments in response to my latest endeavor... I've had so much fun, and I'll probably learn more new techniques as the year proceeds. Come back once in awhile to see what new project I'm working on.

                                                                                                                

And a great big thank you to Donna (Nightmaremom)... she emailed the apple tag to me tonight... what a pleasant surprise! And so timely. I hope I saved the sparkle quality.

Did she know how tired I was when I got home today? I fell asleep in the chair (pitiful) before 8: pm... it really has been a full week, and I need to start going to bed earlier. 

 

Students will be in classes on Monday... floors are all shiny in the halls, carpets vaccuumed in the rooms, chairs on desks, lesson plans ready... I think tomorrow I may treat myself to a visit at Barnes and Nobles. There's a new store in town.