My First Holiday Break

Thanksgiving is almost here! T-Minus 7 hours and 19 minutes! No one tells you in college just how much you will worry and miss these kids before they have even left. I worry about not seeing them for over a week. What are they going to be doing? Are they going home to a place full of love or something else? I know that at least for today I am going to make sure that they know they will be missed by me over this break. 

On the teacher side of things it is also not told how stressful the week before a break is!! The students are all riled up about not coming to school that they have such a hard time staying focused! I tried to plan it to where we would have the day before break to do something fun! Of course though, I have to do what is best for my students which means finishing a test and coloring for some classes! Last night after Archery practice (I am now a certified archery coach which is a whole other story) I printed off the cutest turkey coloring sheets! My thoughts were that they could do something chill before we go home for break. I was thinking about going ahead and starting on some assignments that we will do when we get back but I know that I am going to have a lot of students out today so I wouldn't want to do that. 

As much as I love my job and my students, I can not wait to not wake up at 5:15 in the morning! I want to sleep in, read my book, be under a warm blanket with my animals and watch tv. I love to be at home and I am so ready to do so. I have been reading Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass and I fell in love with it! I am already on the 5th book in the series! I plan to have that finished in a few days. We also plan to attend the Razorback game tomorrow in Fayetteville.  The weather so far seems unforgiving so I will be bundled up in layers.

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The game was AMAZING! It was such a blast but we had to leave with 8 minutes left because the wind chill was getting to us. Coming back to school after a break is really weird. On one hand, I was enjoying the peace and the ability to do whatever I wanted. On the other hand, I really missed my students. I love getting to spend time with them and watch them learn and grow! Coming back it was so fun to hear about what they did over the break. A few of them went across the country while the other kiddos barely went across the house! I understand why teachers talk about that bit of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas because it is a lot. We are already looking ahead to January and all that is going on. We have state testing a week after we get back so were finishing break strong with that in mind. 

My students have actually talked me into participating in the door decorating contest for December as well so we have that to look forward to. They have already chosen their door theme and I am excited to see what all they come up with! Until then, we're just going to take it one day at a time! 

    

The Start of My First Year!

I am so excited to share that I am one of the new 8th grade Math Teachers at Bryant Junior High! Towards the end of May, I was informed that another Math position had suddenly become available. After I had been approved by the school board I was so excited to share with everyone that I had gotten my dream job! 

How it is going...

    I started at Bryant in the Fall of 2021 to do my internship for school. After that, I stayed after graduation taking a ParaPro job! Now, I will take the position of a full time Teacher this Fall of 2022! Honestly, everything happened so fast I am still getting things laid out. The Teacher that left her position is someone that I have looked up to for the past year. She is so kind, caring, and helpful. There would be days where I would go in her room just to ask advice or to sit and chat. I am honored that I am filling her position and wish her the best as she continues teaching in her new position. 

    Since I have been with the district as an employee since January, I am technically not a new hire. However, due to Covid-19 and all that comes with it, I decided to join my new coworkers at the New Hire Orientation. To preface this, last semester, I ended up having to go home on the second to last day of school because I had caught the stomach bug going around. Because of this, I never was able to tell my previous coworker goodbye or even see what all she had left in my room. She was so kind in leaving so many different materials and items for me as a first year teacher! It has been a few months and I am still going through everything that she had left me! 

The first few weeks hit really hard. I honestly felt like I had no idea what was going on half of the time. Thankfully, I have other teachers in the math department that helped me so much! I knew what was coming but until you're thrown into that fire it really can't be described. There are so many things to remember! 504 plans and which students need what. Which parents to call and which parents want to be kept updated about certain things! Not to mention lesson planning, making sure that I am hitting all the standards while slowing down for some classes and keeping it challenging for my advanced classes. It is A LOT. I'm not complaining though! I love the fast pace and all the things that go into it! Now that we are 3/4 through the first semester I think I have a pretty good handle on things! That doesn't mean I am not ready for Thanksgiving break in a few days! 

First day of school Aug. 2022

    

 

Job Interviews!

 Well, it's that time! 

I have already completed my first real interview! I was so nervous but thankfully it was here at the school I already work at! Even though I know the people that I had my interview with it was still pretty nerve wracking! There was a panel of 4 people. Two vice principals, the math specialist, and a math teacher. I was at an advantage because I already know the people and the school. I prepared a list of questions to ask because you never want to look unprepared! Overall I was calm and sure about everything I said because I know what I'm talking about! I keep having to remind myself that I hold a whole degree in this. Yes, I will always be able to learn more, but right now I have to be confident in my knowledge. 

After this interview, I ended up having one more at a different school district. They asked me to prepare a presentation about myself! I thought this was interesting because I had not heard of having to do this for an interview! I waited in their office until it was my turn to interview. Of course, I had shown up earlier than my time so I expected to wait! They led me to a conference room with three people. It was a little nerve wracking because one of the interviewers showed no interest in anything I was saying. I kept going though and made sure to smile and look my most confident self! 

After that, I was asked for an interview with another school district close by. They did a "round robin" style interview. This was interesting because I had never done this before! In my group, there were 5 applicants. We all waited together so that we could go together to the interview. They took us to the library for the interview where there were 6 tables set up with 6 people. They included people such as the principal, the librarian, math specialist, and math teachers. We were given 2 minutes at each table to answer whatever question they gave us. It was very fast paced and it made me really nervous. I brought along my "teacher binder" with me which piqued the interest of one of the people interviewing me. I believe she was a current 6th grade math teacher. (I believe the "teacher binder" deserves its own post in the future.)

I still do not hold a teaching position, but I have been told it may take way more than 3 interviews to be chosen. It is also still rather early to start stressing out at all. Here at the school I am at, the contracts just went out and they have 30 days to sign. So maybe there is still hope that a lot more positions will be posted! For now, I am continuing the hunt for a good job somewhere. I wanted to go ahead and share my experiences for now and the few things that I have learned through this process. 

1. Don't stress! It takes a while to find that perfect fit. 

2. March/April is a too early to stress about a job in education. 

3. It may take quite a few interviews before you ever do get a position. 

4. Everything happens for a reason. 

5. This is a HUGE waiting game! (which is the hardest for me) 

Overall, it is all going to be okay! Which is what I will keep telling myself until that position comes along! 

A Parapro and all we do

 Since I graduated in December, I have taken on the role of an Instructional Paraprofessional. What does this mean for people who don't know? Basically on a good day I co-teach math! I help with classroom management, struggling students, IEP kiddos, and even pull some students for small group instruction. On a more realistic (read mostly because of COVID) day consists of covering classes/duties of teachers who are out. I LOVE my job! I think that everyone should start out being either a sub or a Para! I get to come to work each day and have something new! There are some days when we have enough subs that I have a more consistent schedule, but right now with COVID and the flu going around we have seen better! I love the fact that I am getting to go into many different classrooms and meet a whole new group of students that I otherwise would have never known! Don't get me wrong though, there are days that these kids are on a whole different level because they "have a sub"! 

I swear those words are the bane of my existence. The school I work at is HUGE, which means that even though I've been here since technically August (Intern first semester employee the second) that there are still students who take one look and think that they're going to act up because I'm "just a sub". I think that the biggest thing I have learned from this is that you have to be confident and sure of yourself. 

After Graduation: what's next?!

 I graduated!!! But...What's next?!?

CONGRADULATIONS! You have made it through the hardest part of becoming a teacher! I know that my last few weeks of graduation was one of the most stressful times of my life! I actually did my end of semester project completely wrong! But that is probably a story for another time! 

So, now that you have that AWESOME degree, what happens now? I'll tell you that I'm sure that my personal experience was probably not the norm but everything works out either way! It's all going to be alright! 

Towards the end of my internship, I knew that finding a permanent position was going to be almost impossible in the middle of the year. Especially the school district that I am in because it is one of the most competitive that I have ever seen.  Thankfully, a paraprofessional position opened up! The day that it was posted I went to the principal and talked to him about it and was told to apply the same day! Before I even walked across the stage I had this job lined up for me! 

Something important that I have learned is that there will be times where that perfect position just isn't out there yet. That's okay! The main thing is to get a foot in the door! Apply for every position even if it isn't your top pick! That's what I am in the process of doing now! I am applying for every position that I can because in the long run it is better to turn down a job than to not have one at all! 

The fact is that schools need you. So don't worry! The perfect position may not be there but it will be eventually! Something else that I learned is that now is not the time to stress. Where I live, there is currently only 4 math teacher positions open that I am certified for. I was told, however, that this is really uncommon! Positions usually do not even begin to open until AFTER spring break! All this time I was worried for nothing! 

Overall, the main message is put yourself out there! Whatever you end up doing make sure that you do it to the best of your own abilities. I know that right now, I spend each day trying to make sure that my job as a Para is done better than the day before. I also take every opportunity to help other teachers as well. I love to go around to teachers (especially in the math department) and be of any help that I can! It helps to build rapport within the school and show that you are a team player! That's what I think teaching is all about! Helping each other and putting the students first!

In all that you do, make sure it is done well! Go forth, and TEACH!!

Tips From A Recent Grad!

Tips From A Recent Graduate!

In education, we know that December marks the smack middle of the school year. So, what does this mean for people who are graduating in December? I'm not sure how typical my situation was, but I have learned a lot from my own experiences.

Student teaching is HARD! Never let anyone tell you otherwise! There is two levels of school that you are dealing with. You are both the student as well as the teacher. Balancing your own school work, projects, and personal life is hard enough. Then you add on top of that all of the duties and responsibilities of a school teacher (8th grade in my case) and it is INSANE! Also an added bonus that my specific internship was 40+ hours a week....UNpaid! It was a lot to deal with! Being completely transparent, there were times that I would cry from being overwhelmed from all of it. BUT, if I can make it...so can you!

Stay organized!!

This is the number one tip that I have! Being honest, until this last semester of college I was the messiest person you would ever see! I did not have things in order, even my planner was a mess! This is something that is a huge no in education. Time is precious in the classroom because everyone knows we don't get enough of it! If you know anything about teaching, then you know that the first and the last five minutes of class are not yours. That typically leaves 45 minutes for each class to have instruction and to get done what you have them doing for the day! Fumbling around and looking for papers or getting things ready is wasting even more of the already short time. Also it makes you look bad to both the students and your mentor teacher.

Be Prepared!

This is another really big one I had to learn. Being prepared doesn't just mean that you have a worksheet handy for the students when they walk into the room! This means mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared as well. The biggest part of this for me was being mentally prepared. I was really bad about not going through the night before and working out the content on my own. I'm not sure how I thought teaching was as easy as just knowing how to work the problems. The best thing that I learned to do was sit down the night before my lesson and go through it like I would have taught it. I picked out different problems that showed the content I specifically needed to cover and even had a few backups just incase. I picked out what I would do myself, the notes, the guided practice, and what the students would do independently. It made the actual teaching go so much smoother! This is also the time to refresh on your content! Especially being an intern, there is SO much content that I came across that I had not done in at least a few years! It's been a while since you were in school so remember that!

Don't sweat the small stuff!

I remember a day during my final internship that I ended up SO upset because halfway through the day I realized that I had taught something wrong! I was so embarrassed and I felt TERRIBLE for teaching these kids something incorrectly! It was just one of those days that got to me and resulted in crying in the teachers lounge. Thankfully the community at my school is one of the best I have ever been a part of. A few seasoned teachers told me about the times they had mishaps and that it was all part of learning and growing in the profession. This leads me to my next point....

Be prepared to learn.

Being a teacher means that you have just signed up to be a student for the rest of your life! I know that I am constantly learning new things from mentors, teachers, and even the students! This is a profession that you will always be growing, improving, and making appropriate modifications. Just because one day is not going how you planned doesn't mean that it is a complete loss! Each day is brand new and a new opportunity to grow! The day that I had taught them all wrong I was able to go back the next day and admit my mistake! The kids took it in stride and we ended up laughing about it! 

Overall, this is one of the most challenging and rewarding professions that there is. I am so thankful to be a part of this community and comfortable to make these mistakes so I can learn and grow from them. Never be afraid to ask for help from anyone! There have been times (especially with technology) that I have even asked students for help! Just take everyday in stride and keep on learning! 

 

The Beginning!

Hello! 

My name is Heather! I am a 22 year old recent graduate living in Arkansas! I just graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelors of Arts in Education! I plan to teach middle school but I work as a paraprofessional right now with 8th and 9th grade!  

I have always loved to read and write! I have never been the best at writing but I figured why not give this a shot. I love having a creative outlet because I am constantly doing something artsy! I want this blog to be a place to talk about my experiences as well as a place to learn from others. I believe that becoming a teacher is taking on a lifestyle of learning because there is always something new to learn. Just in this year I have learned so much not only from mentors, but other teachers and students as well. I want to live a life that is full of new discoveries while also teaching kids math in a way that is fun and engaging! 

So, to tell a little about myself. I live in Central Arkansas with my wonderful fiancé and our two precious dogs! The tan lab is named Willow Brooke. She is 5 years old and my calm child. She loves to lounge around and sleep! The black lab is named Dolly Mae! She is almost 2 years old and she is the epitome of the second child! She is absolutely wild and loves to act crazy. They are both rescues and we love them like real children!