Fall Goals

In college, I made goals for every quarter. I continued this in the summer. Probably, because it didn't really feel like college was over.

Now, though, that I haven't moved back to Athens, and have a week and a half of my big-girl job, it has sunk in. This is it. Life. For the next 35 or so years.

It's cool. I totally love this life.

So, I think I am going to keep writing out goals seasonally. It works for me. A month doesn't give me enough time to feel like I am achieving what I set my mind to, but isn't so long that I forget about them.

Might as well keep the ball rolling. So, without further ado...

Fall Quarter Goals

1. Keep on top of my lesson planning.

I am definitely an over-planner. I try to have all my materials and plans figured out for next week by Thursday of this week. This helps me to keep the curriculum in sight, have more time when I'm at home at night, and make sure the print shop at my school (who does all the copying, we don't have a central copier) has time to et all the copies run off way ahead of time. I know that keeping up with this is going to be the key to my sanity as the year progresses.

2. Work out 4 times a week.

Again, a way to preserve my sanity. Running has really been a head-clearing activity for me, and I don't want to lose it. I have been missing a good gym work out, though, so when the $$ finally starts rolling in, I think I am going to suck it up and by a gym membership. I usually take 2 rest days, but I know that as things pick up, unexpected rest days might pop up. So, I'm being forgiving and allowing myself that.  

3. Make 3 new friends in my new city.

Now that I have finally started working, I have been introduced to a huge family of amazing people. And, finally, I have a bit of a social life again. Albeit, it's all entirely work-related. I can see a couple that will definitely become friends, but I won't really count that until we hang out outside of school stuff. Maybe I can even mooch off their friends and make even more!

I've got a ton on my plate with right now as I cannonball into my first year of teaching. So, I won't bog myself down with too many goals. I think if I get these under my belt, I'll be on my way to a great year!

Here's to making it happen!

~Rach

First Week in the Books!

Week 1. Done and done.

I can't even describe to you how much I am loving my school, my students (well, most of them), and my job.

Just like the first day, this week went so smoothly! I don't want to jinx myself, and I hope this positive momentum keeps going.

While I wanted to take more pics this week, the only thing I managed to capture was my daily outfit. So, here's a play-by-play illustrated by mostly outfits.

Tuesday- first day of school- hand out syllabus, introduce myself, take care of school-related housekeeping stuff.

Yea, you've seen this. I still really like this outfit.

Wednesday- 5th period and 7th period showed their true colors. Looks like these are my problem classes. Also my biggest. Should be fun. The desks went from groups of 3 back into rows, which has helped cut down on chatty-ness and attitude problems.

Managed to cut my head off. But, the sleeveless top was a good call with the heat. And, the crocs totally beat Tuesday's heels.

Someone told me once that accessorizing would make me look older. This is what I managed.

 Thursday- less talking problems, and some good work got done. Starting to feel the rhythm of the day.

Loved this outfit. Made me feel mature, and it was pretty cool and comfy all day.

 Friday- a fun day at school, compete with a last period pep rally. And temperatures that had me literally sweating all day.

We're allowed to dress down a little on Fridays, but with the temperatures, I opted for a light dress to help keep me cool. 

We've got another 4-day week ahead of us. So nice! And it's time to get into some real instruction and new material. Ready to take it head on!

Here's to keeping up the positive momentum!
~Rach

First Day of School

I have officially made it through my first day of school as a high school teacher!

After talking, walking, smiling, and sweating all day long, I am exhausted.

Exhausted, but so happy.

I could not have asked for a better first day. (well, some milder temperatures would have been nice)

Everything went according to plan, and I had no problems with students. I didn't mess up too badly. I didn't trip. And, I don't think I messed up any of the administrative, first-day duties.

I did have some unexpected time with first period, but I just filled it with a pronunciation song that I used all day in my Spanish 2 classes.

I am letting myself take it easy for tonight with a scheduled rest day and not putting too much pressure on myself to plan for next week. I have an idea where we are going, and I will really sit down and do it tomorrow/Thursday.

I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself the first week. I tend to hold myself to these impossibly high expectations, and I am always overly critical with myself. I don't want to burn myself out. I love this job, and I want to be happy in it for a long time.

I guess this first day in my career really means that I am a full blown adult and I can no longer consider myself a child at all. Weird. Sad. Terrifying. But, Exciting!

Like I said, I'm exhausted, but I'll do a more extensive recap over the weekend.

I'll leave you with my first day of school outfit! Professional, young, cool-ish. Loved it. But the shoes... my feet hated my by 5th period. Not happening again any time soon.

Here's to a great rest of the week!

~Rach

Summer's Over

Well, tomorrow is the first day of school. My first, first day in the teacher's seat. How quickly this crept up on me!

I successfully completed

• 4 years of college 
• A crazy quarter of student teaching
• 5 days of straight staff meetings 
• New teacher orientation

And, tomorrow, the kiddies are going to invade, and I will be charged with their safety, security, and, oh yea, their minds. 

Holy crap!

Actually, this week, I have felt oddly calm and prepared. Mostly, I'm excited to get started!

The countdown is starting...

***********

The beginning of the school year also signals the end of the summer. So, I thought I would take this opportunity to check in with my Summer goals.

1. CURRICULUM PLAN
      Check! Didn't really have a choice on that one. SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW      
2. Run 2 miles without stopping.
      Done and done.

3. Be ready for the school year to start.
      Feeling good

4. Make 3 new local friends.
     Did it! Thanks to some introductions from some college friends.

5. Get Zumba certified.
    Did it! 

6. Fill my apartment's blank walls.

    Cross that one off the list!

That's a big 100% for me! Solid A+! I hope I can keep this ball rolling as the year starts! Update soon!

Here's to hitting the ground running!

~ Rach

Getting Rolling

It's been a week since I last post. Granted, I am not the most regular blogger. But, still, a week is a long time.

I have a good excuse, though. I have not stopped moving. In a week.

It's been exhausting, exciting, and emotional. Full of fun stuff, work stuff, and school stuff. Wow, things are really starting to get rolling for the school year!

Here are some highlights. Sorry for the photo dump. Yea, not really:

Val came to visit!!! My biffle from college. 

We went to dinner where I did something I never do. Ordered pasta. Major fear food there, but it was delicious! Then, I got made fun of for being vegan. Enter butter face with sausage eyes. Thanks, friends.

I ran 7 miles!!! I know, right!? Incredible. I totally surprised myself, but I had 7 in my head, and I did it. felt awesome.

Val and I hit up some of our fave food spots. Starbucks for breakfast after my run (brought my own protein oats), Panera for lunch, and, of course, Mexican for dinner.

Then, a little too much fun with some black light putt-putt.

Saturday, I took a quick trip to Athens for one last hoorah before the school year begins. It was a crazy night, but totally worth the pain the next day. Good times with good food and meeting up with some old friends. Couldn't ask for a better night.

I made some "I'm Too Poor to go Grocery Shopping, Clean Out the Fridge" vegetable soup. I'll put up a lesson plan for that one in a few days. It was a life save this week!

After all of that, most excitingly, staff meetings and professional development has started for the year!
Starting on Monday with meetings, then a staff retreat at the beautiful park below, and culminating in new teacher orientation on Thursday and Friday.

So far, I have to say I am completely in love with my school district. The people are one big amazing family who are all so happy to be working there. I am so excited and feel so blessed to be part of this team, and I can't wait for school to actually start!

Here's to the beginning of something great!
~ Rach

Setting Up My Classroom!

The past week has been just jam packed with teacher-y excitement. My time has been dominated by organization, posters, bulletin boards, and more organization. I am in heaven.

When I got to the school to get my keys, I was originally a little let down. My room is in the not-air-conditioned part of the building. It was dusty and dirty from sitting all summer. The amount of stuff I had to sort through seemed interminable.

But, by going in for a couple hours every day, or so, and taking the time, money (and, believe me there is lots of money involved), and effort necessary, I have turned it into a space that I not only like, but can see myself functioning in for an entire year. (And hopefully many to come?)

Want a tour?

The view from the door. Love that whole wall of windows!

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome! This table with hold the hall pass/signout sheet, and I will mark important dates on the calendar. The school mascot is the pirates, so they also make an appearance. You can see where I labeled the table in Spanish, and these labels are all over the room.

The right side of the room. I hate chalk and chalk boards, so I covered them. These boards aren't really useful anyways with the arrangement of the desks, so no worries there. 

Esta semana. This week. Here I'll post on Monday what we are doing in class everyday and what is for homework everyday so the students always no. No surprises = no excuses.

The left side. My desk, filing cabinets, more chalkboard covering.

Back corner. Home of the dictionaries and paper trays.

said paper trays. I'll keep all papers in here for a week and cycle them out the next week. No excuses for lost papers or missing work.

My desk with some OU relics and study abroad souvenirs.

The teacher's perspective from the front of the room. Really, the only thing I am still unhappy with is the desks in rows. I would prefer a double rainbow arrangement, but because my room is so square, I just don't have the space. Eh, gotta make do with what I have.

I like to have something at the front to lay papers on etc. The pencil holders will eventually hold popsicle sticks with all the kids' names on them, separated by period. I love having a randomizing system like this because it keeps me unbiased and keeps the kids on their toes. The jar will be filled eventually with candy- high schoolers need some motivators.

Now that I have the room more organized, I can start to feel how classes will flow in there. I am comfortable with it, and it feels like mine. Now, I just have to get the first batch of lessons underway, and I will be flying high.

Everyday next week, I have meetings, team buildings, new teacher orientations, and even an overnight staff retreat. I am excited to meet everyone and start becoming part of the community. But, I am a little anxious and nervous. This always comes with starting new, and this is a BIG new start. I know the best thing, and really the only option, is to jump in with both feet and hit the ground running! So, bring it on!

Here's to revving my engine and getting ready to knock this out of the park!

¡Salud!

~ Rach

WIAW busy day

Considering how leisurely my summer has been going, today was quite the busy day. With school starting so soon, things are really picking up, and I'm getting excited! And nervous and overwhelmed and anxious...

but mostly excited!

So check it. While I still have the time!

Thanks, Jenn, for the highlight of my week!

7:00 alarm goes off. 

Kind of early, but no biggie, I had been up for a while. I having trouble sleeping lately, and I have no idea why. Boo.

Morning started with some hot lemon water and blog reading while I waited for the water to work it's magic. TMI? 

 This was followed soon after with Breakfast (7:30ish): apple, protein frosting/dip, Ezekiel sprinkled with a little natural sugar and cinnamon pre-toasting. Yummy

After digesting, I headed out for my workout (8:30ish): 

just over 4 miles in  ~47 min- I've been doing intervals running 10min, walking, run 10 min etc
then I did some oblique/ab workout I found somewhere. sorry I don't remember

Enter shower, random compulsive cleaning, list making, and dressing, and I was off!

With my snack in hand: 

 Smoothie consumed en route too...

A teacher's mecca! So many supplies and posters and manipulatives and resouces!

Unless, you're a spanish teacher. Then, this is all you get.

My one measly end cap. I did get a few books of stickers and some stamps. And I also got some board trim, but it was a bummer to see how small of a section my content has. Oh, well it just means I had to get craft!

I totally flaked on getting a pic of my lunch, but this bad boy salad was incredible. And, it included avocado, happy eggs, and tofu. Two sources of both healthy fat and protein in one bowl!? Who is this girl!

 

Lunch desert was mighty tasty too: Ezekiel tortilla with PB and strawberries.

After some vacuuming and poster creating, afternoon snack.

Too many handfuls of these awesome spiced pumpkin seeds, and a lentil rice veggie burger. My appetite was weird today.

 Oh just some proof that actual work was done today.

And then, Dinner

 Soba noodle bowl covered in sauteed broccoli, zucchini, and tofu.

And, naturally, dessert

Classic cocoa oats topped with PB.

Tomorrow is going to be filled with some major classroom decorating and organizing! Can't wait to make that place feel like my own!

¡Salud!

~ Rach

Getting Real

Well, sh!t's gettin real in first-year-teacher world!

It seems with every step in this process, I get overwhelmed and begin questioning myself all over again.

First, student teaching. Then, the Praxises (Praxi?). Then, the OPI and WPT (the speaking and writing Spanish exams). Then, the interview process. Then, signing the contract. Then, starting curriculum planning...

Now, getting into my classroom!

I went to the school today for the official tour and some info about upcoming events and... drumroll, please... the keys to my room!

This is it from the door. As you can tell by the chalkboards, it's an older school, but the front wall is all whiteboards and that is a projector hanging from the ceiling, so that's a plus. I also love that the whole back wall is windows. They will come in handy during the hotter months since my room is in the part of the building without air conditioning.

This board by the door is where I plan on putting a monthly calendar, bienvenidos sign, hall passes, and bellwork sheets. 

Hung my alfabeto strip that my cooperating teacher donated above the far side board, and I plan on hanging a bunch of posters and art on some paper covering the board. I have a deep hatred for chalk and chalkboards, so I won't really miss it, and it's not in a convenient place to write on anyway since students will be sitting right next to it.

The front board that will actually get some usage.

Other side of the room. Not sure if both of those tables will be staying or not.

Definitely have some work to do getting it organized and "cutified" (?) how I want it, but I am so happy to have my own room to run how ever I want.

The previous teacher also left me all of his materials for each unit. Seriously, all of them. This is also a little overwhelming, too, because I have to sort through everything and see what I want to use.

Oy vey, I have a lot of work ahead of me. A whole lifetime's worth! I guess this is what it means to have a career.

So this is the before. Stay tuned for the after shot!

Here's to getting ready and getting set!
Salud!
~ Rach