My name is Kristyn and I live in a rural community in Ohio. This is my second year teaching 1st grade, but my 15th year teaching. I have taught preschool for many years, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and a library class for elementary students. I have enjoyed everything that I have taught, but I have to say that first has been my favorite. My last year's class was amazing in every way. Now beginning a year with a brand new bunch....I forgot how young they are at the beginning of the year.
It's hard to believe that the beginning of the school year has been underway for over a week now. I always have the greatest of ambitions on organizational skills, but something seems to happen as soon as those wonderful little bodies start filling the room. I tend to get piles and piles of things we have done that I usually tell myself "I will save a copy for next year and recycle the rest." Sometimes, I just put them in a pile for the kids to use during their free time too. But this doesn't usually happen with the day's busy schedule and no time to do it. This year will be extra challenging in that department because due to budget cuts our Related Arts schedules have been shortened and we get to teach art too. I like teaching art to my own students, but I have to add another 11 or 12 students to my already 22 size class. This will be interesting as we get into some more detailed projects. Oh well, another teaching perk I guess.
One of my professional goals this year is to not gripe about anything, but look to the positive for each situation. This is the only way a teacher can grow and not be set in his/her ways. My job is to be the best teacher I can be for the 22 students I have in my classroom. I also want to be a positive role model for the students as well as the staff. Another goal is to learn to break down each learning target even further for my students who need more detailed teaching and let them have more of an opportunity to practice each learning so they will be able to master them. A last goal is to refine my teaching and workshop of the new Common Core Math. I think it will be easier, just to get the routine down will be struggle at the beginning.
Well not sure if anyone will ever read this, but that is ok. I hope to have a journal of all this years trials and success' not to mention a hope of sharing with others and collaborating new ideas for wonderful first grade students. Till next time....
