"I don't understand what they're talking about"... "it's ok, we don't need it"

Today was the first full faculty day. I got more aquatinted with the school, got to see all my different classrooms, all 5. Got to meet more of the faculty and the administration. Then we sat through an hour long presentation on the new retirement plan for the school staff. As a member of this program we aren't eligible for retirement because we don't get a salary from the school, we get a stipend. So it was absolutely pointless for us to hear it, but we had to. It was BORING and extremely confusing, but the confusing matter didn't make a difference because it didn't matter what the hell they were saying because it had no bearing on me (self-centered I know, but whatever).

So for the rest of the day I finished my syllabi, finished the quiz I'm giving on my syllabi, finished writing out the essay assignment I'm giving on the first day, filled out my grade book, and finished up all my seating charts.

I'm starting to feel like I'm really a part of this faculty, it weird. But about time (school starts tomorrow). Oh, and my heart monitor went off 12 times today (two of which were during mass)

Look out for Bookcases

So today was the "Teach don't Touch" seminar. Let me tell you, wicked fun. The seminar started with the Superintendent of Schools giving us a brief history of the district. Boring. "The school district has 13 schools and 600 teachers." (The high school I'm working in makes up 100 of those teachers).

Next they turned on a movie for us to watch about Child Abuse and Neglect and the signs to look for and all about reporting it. It was a boring, poorly produced movie but that's expected and I was actually OK with that. Then the movie began it's second half. "Tips in order to avoid misunderstandings." All about things us Teachers should avoid doing so that it cannot be misconstrued as sexual abuse. It started with the normal ones.

- if you're with a student in your classroom alone, make sure the door is left open.

- remain visible to others whenever you are alone with students

- avoid hugging students

(all valid, but basically common sense)

then the ridiculous things started ....

- "if your going to meet with a student after school, don't do it behind a bookcase"

- "if you have to help a student pull up their pants after they go to the bathroom, don't do it behind a bookcase" [there were elementary school teachers at the seminar too]

- "do not congratulate students by slapping their butts"

-- and so on.

RIDICULOUS

So yeah, here's to teaching.

One step closer

We had our New Teachers Orientation meeting today. Pretty much a crash course in the school, they threw everything at us. Introduced us to pretty much everyone in the school.

It was good though, I learned a lot of stuff I needed to. I found out when I have lunch duty (only 2 days every two weeks, so not bad). I found out when I have parking lot duty (December, so that'll be fun, I figure I'll just throw snowballs at all the kids).

Out of the five classes I'm teaching, I'm going to be in four different classrooms. I saw the classrooms today, not bad. So I'm actually getting pretty excited for the school year. Finished up writing each class's syllabus this afternoon. Haven't really started fully planning yet, but I still have time. I just want to have at least the first week all planned out before the school year starts. I already know that I'm assigning a 4 page essay on the first day, so that's exciting.

Also, my heart monitor only went off 14 times today during the teachers' meeting. We've been taking bets as to how many times it's going to go off now, my heart has turned into a game. We'll see how many times it goes off tomorrow during the "Teach don't Touch" seminar. fun fun.

Seriously

Today was our first real teacher meeting. We went into the high school to get out school laptops. It was weird at first, all the teachers on a first name basis with the vice principal (which makes perfect sense, it was just really weird to be considered a "peer"). But we got our brand new laptops. They're awesome. (I'm on it now).

Now we're all getting settled into our community house. It's an old convent that needs a lot of work, but it's coming along well (well enough). So far seven of us are officially moved in, we're still waiting on four more people to move in until our house is complete.

Get Ready

Teacher's meetings start on Monday. I'm pretty excited for it because in reality I don't know much really about the school I'm going to be teaching in. I know the history, mission, and philosophy of the school but I don't know or understand a lot of the schools logistics. So I'm happy to sit through all-day seminars because as much as I know it will be boring as hell, I will get something out of it.

Also this week we have a "teach don't touch" seminar. FUN! So, yeah can't wait for that.

and so it begins, (scratch that) continues

So after finishing my run as a student-teacher in college, I am starting a new role as a (grad)student-teacher. I figured this would be a good venue to share the funny, crazy, unique, and memorable stories of the next two years.

So stay tuned, because this will hopefully be hilarious, and not depressing (but who knows).