My life is not my own

The last two weeks of school and the first two weeks of school are the stuff anxiety attacks are made of. I am currently in the midst of the latter.

For a teacher, the first two weeks of school take on more of a secretarial aspect, collecting forms, sorting forms, issuing lockers, completing checklists to make sure all the correct forms have been turned in, and then delivering said forms to appropriate persons. Medical forms, registration forms, forms to join the PTA, forms to read certain books, forms to give your first born to the district. Then there are all the classroom things, like learning the names of 127 students. And just to make it easy I have a set of twins and at least 14 kids with some version of the name kayla/kalyn/kaleigh/kelsy. I'm thinking Gwyneth might have been on to something with Apple and Moses, cause I'd know those names by now.

I have a slightly different schedule this year, which takes some adjusting too, especially when it means a 1:00 lunch time. I may have to start bringing some snacks! I'm also pretty sure that I'm allergic to the combination of axe and old spice that seem to emanate from preteen boys. I am not used to eau de cafeteria or exhaust either.

As a parent, the first days of school mean getting everyone back on a sleep schedule. Making sure snacks are available and breakfast can be fixed quickly --and eaten in the car! Helping with homework and cooking dinner. Filling out forms :) It's just a little bit exhausting.

So please excuse my MIA status for the time being. I'm not a slacker, I'm just a teacher.

Six Word Saturday

One week down, thirty-five to go.

To play along with six word Saturday, visit Cate.

Wordless Wednesday

The first week of school is not fun :(

Six Word Saturday

I think I can do it.

What a difference a week makes! Bulletin boards are up and decorated, first week papers have been typed and sent to copy shop, class blog is up and running, literature books are neatly stacked. Now if only it could stay this tidy for the next 36 weeks :)

Walk this way

See these feet.

These feet are tired. These feet pounded the pavement to 20 houses for 2 hours in the 105 degree heat. All to welcome a group of 6th grade students to their new campus and enjoy the confusion on their face when I introduced myself as not their teacher.
Wrap your brains around that one. That's right, I spent 2 hours greeting kids I don't teach, and won't teach for another 2 years. And touchphobe that I am, I squirmed my way through every uncomfortable handshake (I'm too socially awkward to master the fist bump) sweat pooling on my brow and running down my back. I'm pretty sure the last house thought I'd run a marathon through their neighborhood.
So begins another year. So ends my vacation in sanity.

today

6.5 hours of meetings.
2 hours of typing up materials.
20 minutes of ice cream bliss.

Paleo doesn't stand a chance :(

Six Word Saturday

I'm just a little bit terrified.

For the past 4 years I taught US History, a subject I am completely and totally passionate about. It was a focus of study in college and I watch the History Channel till the wee hours of the morning. I can totally dork out with the constitution and election years make me giddy. But last week I made the decision to switch to Language Arts, a subject I've previously taught, and am (in my opinion) equally as passionate about. I am excited, yet at the same time, feeling so overwhelmed. I have 9 days to prep for the next school year and I don't even know where to start... ok so I know where to start, but I have yet to meet someone who can actually translate TEKS into usable language :)

So there's my big confession for Saturday. It's the little thought that's bouncing around behind my smiley face and "I know exactly what I'm doing" facade. 8th graders can be awfully intimidating.