Back to Blogging

Greetings!

It's been a while, and my apologies for that. I was back to my home and native land for 4 weeks this summer and it was a fantastic trip back. Did a lot of catching up, visiting, partying and relaxing. One of my best friends got married, which was a beautiful, thoughtful and fun celebration that I was lucky enough to be a part of. Another bestie back home and her hubby are expecting their first baby (any day now, right J?!), so it was great to see them and 'the bump' in action.

Now that I'm back in London, oddly enough, it doesn't feel like I even left. Coming back to my familiar flat, neighbour hood, school and most importantly local pubs felt strangely comfortable compared to all the anxiety and 'every thing is new, and I'm not sure I know what's going on' of last September. I'm really glad I gave myself a bit of time to adjust back to London life, and not worry about work straight away. Speaking of work.....

I've just completed my first 2 days teaching in my own classroom, and it's been fantastic! I love so much that I'm the person that gets to set things up they way I like, and that work for me instead of working within someone else's framework that works for them. Granted, I saw and learnt a lot of new things while doing PPA last year that I will definitely use, but there are just as many that didn't make the cut for my Year 4 class this year.

My class is full of really great kids, and I'm really excited to get to know them over the year. I'm sure it will result in a teary goodbye at school come July, but oh well. There are two new students in my class, one with CP and she's in a wheelchair, which made classroom set up quite a challenge. We are still working things out so she has enough room to get around, and it's a trial and error process. Basically, inclusion and team work and understanding have been my middle names and will continue to be for the next little while. I really want the classroom environment to be welcoming and positive for the two new ones, as well as everyone else.

It hasn't all been sunshine and lollipops however. I've always been a little bit nervous about planning, and now that it's actually time to plan, I've been stressed. It's difficult to get started, because I'm not sure about basic things, like what the documents I need look like, or are located. I'm not sure about obtaining resources. I have no idea how to set up ability groups, or if I even should. Assessment and leveling work is beyond me. What types of records should I be keeping? How do I plan lessons that are interesting and informative, yet still encourage independent thinking and problem solving? I also have 2 TA's in my class - which is fantastic, don't get me wrong for a second - but I'm in a position where I'm a 'superior' to women who have been TA's for many years, and am finding it awkward to 'manage' them, if those are even the right terms to use.

When you think of all the uncertainties, and things that need to be done, and things you don't know about at once, it's incredibly intimidating and daunting. I was in that frame of mind at the end of the school day. I had arrived early and stayed late and still felt like I had a million things to do. I probably gave myself 3 new wrinkles with my furrowed brow the whole tube ride home.

Good thing my mother had telpathic powers. When I arrived at my front door, I was greeted by a dozen pink roses, with a little card that said 'Congratulations and Good Luck. You will do an excellent job. Love Mom' How amazing is that?! How AMAZING is my MOM?!?! I think we'll need to visit the tea room at The SoHo Hotel when she's in town next....Needless to say, I've shifted my thinking into a more positive light, and am feeling like things are at least manageable now. Thanks again mom!

I need to wrap up this epic 'first post of the new school year' now, so I can get to bed. I'm going to make an effort to blog regularly about teaching and life here in London. We've also got wireless broadband at school, so hopefully I can get my act together and post some pictures for your viewing pleasure.