The First Year of Teaching

     Growing up, my play room was filled with white boards, markers, transparencies and make-shift overhead projectors, calculators, red pens, and a "classroom" full of make-believe children who had their names in a grade book and everything. When anyone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always answer with, "a teacher." Of course, throughout the years I changed my mind a few times, but eventually during my sophomore year of college I knew that I was meant to be a teacher. Fast forward to senior year when I began student teaching and thought to myself, "I could never teach below third grade." Then as a student teacher, I got a group of first graders that proved to me that I really could and really would love to teach first grade. After graduation, I was a long-term substitute for a few months. I continued to pray that God would open an opportunity for me to teach in first or second grade. I interviewed at several places, and then I received a phone call that led me to where I am today. I started this time last year and finished up the two and half months of the school year with a group of first graders. Then this year, I had my very own classroom with my very own students. This is where it all started.

Let me recap some of my thoughts going into the first day of school:
1. Wow, this is my classroom! Wait, this is my classroom, it has to look good for the first day.
2. Will their parents think I'm too young to be their children's teacher?
3. What do I do if they cry on the first day of school?
4. Wow, I am responsible for these little humans and expected to teach them what they need to know.

Those are only some of my thoughts as the day began. Let's now fast-forward to where we are now, in March, where I only have about 50 days left with my little 'firsties.' I have learned a lot over the past 7 and a half months-- some things that I expected and some things that completely caught me off guard. I learned that college courses can't really prepare you for all of the things you will learn by being a first-year teacher.

I've learned that having a cute classroom with a fun theme is a good idea, but that the students will
soon look past all of that.
I've learned that getting to work 25-30 minutes early a few times a week will really make your day go smoother.
I've learned that going to colleagues for advice is always better than just figuring things out on your own, but that I'm also capable of making good decisions for my classroom.
I've learned that it's good to share ideas and ask for help, and that it's not a sign of weakness.
I've learned to fully appreciate my assistant in all that she does to make my classroom the best that it can be.
I've learned that staying after school for 2 hours only makes you more tired the next day.
I've learned to set high, but attainable, expectations for my students.
I've learned that if you give a child a pair of scissors that he/she will cut more than just paper with them.
I've learned that the task of sharpening pencils is a coveted task amongst children, and you've seemed to let them down if you didn't choose them to do it that day.
I've learned that kids notice any slight change to the classroom (a new clock, a new poster, a new word written on the board) especially if it's added while they are at recess.
I've learned that kids want to be either the first in line or the last in line.
I've learned that just a simple look can calm them down and get them quiet.
I've learned that you're the best teacher in the world if you let them work problems on the board.
I've learned that grading with a red pen is my least favorite thing to do and that all papers should be graded with pink, blue, or purple pens.
I've learned that kids watch their teacher's every move and they pay attention to what you wear to work.
I've learned that it's good to change the seating arrangement every other month or so.
I've learned that is's okay if you didn't do that cute "Pinterest" activity of the month that everyone else did with their class.
I've learned that it's good to challenge kids.
I've learned that kids should learn to be responsible at a young age.
I've learned to show them respect and to show them that I trust them with things.
I've learned that kids are going to be mean to each other, and that they have to learn what it means to truly apologize and forgive.
I've learned that some children will act out for attention because they don't receive any at home.
I've learned that kids come to school cold, hungry, and sick and that I have to meet those needs before ever trying to meet their academic needs.
I've learned to pray for my students every morning on my way to work.
I've learned that I will be called "mom" on accident, but that each of them will become like a child to me.
I've learned that sitting on the carpet with them and playing a game makes me relatable.
I've learned that making up silly songs to learn new skills makes learning more enjoyable.
I've learned (and I'm still learning) that kids have to move around sometimes in order to learn.
I've learned that I can't fix every problem, but that I can do my best to love them and teach them each day.

I've now come to that point where I see my little 'firsties' as soon-to-be second graders, and it's hard for me to believe. I've learned so much in this first year of teaching, and I know I'll continue to learn as the years go on. Nobody could have ever completely prepared me for what I would learn and experience as a teacher. I'm thankful for those many years during my childhood where I pretended to be a teacher and I'm thankful for my own teachers who loved me and demonstrated how to be a great teacher.