Resources

Knowing my personality, organizational habits, and ability to transition well, I thought it best to start looking for resources for this journey early(ish) on. I am going to be working at my current job pretty much right up until it is time for me to start at the school (or at least until it is time for me to start training at the school), so much of my 'free' (ha!) time will be devoted to preparing myself for this transition. I am nervous afterall and the more I prepare myself, the less nervous I'll be when that time comes. I'm keeping a list of online resources that I think will be useful at some point. Some of them are blogs, some are articles. Some are particular to Catholic education, others focus on education in general. All seem (at least at this time) useful.

I'm also anticipating some of the practical aspects of teaching. There is a chance that I may be sharing a room or even using different rooms for my classes... that isn't yet determined, but if that does turn out to be the case, I'm planning a summer building project... a lecture podium on wheels, one w/a pull out laptop stand, a locking cabinet, and special storage compartments. I'm not the most organized person on the planet but I do have an affinity for office supplies and prefer fun and pretty ones when possible, and if I get to store them in nifty containers which are then put in special compartments in my podium... BONUS! I know... I'm a nerd. 6 months from now, worrying about a podium and office supplies is probably going to seem like a waste of mental energy... but just to show my reasoning, one of the posts I read on the Coach G blog mentioned having all of 'your' tools easily accessible, and another article on the NEA website talked about doing extra things to prepare ahead of time so that you aren't just ready to teach, but you have the things that make the entire day go easier (specifically they mentioned snacks, a sewing kit, gloves, comfortable backup shoes, etc.). So... I'm just trying to go 'by the book'... errr... web.

So, maybe you'll find these useful too. Or maybe you want to leave me a comment to tell me exactly how foolish and naive you think I am. Either is fine. Oh, they are under the list titled "Teacher's Helpers"

acceptance

The process that has led me to this day has probably been building for about 23 years. When I was 8 years old I specifically remember sitting with my sister, trying to help her read a book, do some homework, something... and my mother observing the process. Later she took me aside and said "You should be a teacher some day. You were very patient with your sister and teachers need patience." As it turns out, plenty of people in the world need patience, but that comment stuck with me, and other things did too. I remember being in 6th grade and Mrs. G periodically allowing girls (why were only girls ever interested in this?) to come clean her desk, organize her drawers, grade a few papers, clean the blackboard. In 7th grade, Mrs. H would occasionally let some of us (girls) design a new bulletin board. Bliss. It was pure bliss. The EZ Grader, the red pens, the smell of chalk dust, the unlimited access to a stapeler and rolls of colored paper. Sigh. Most of that (probably w/the acception of the red pens) will be irrelevant for my upcoming new teaching career. Oh, I didn't mention that? As of today, I've accepted an offer for a teaching position, starting this fall. I'll be teaching high school religion, specifically the Junior Morality class. I'll have other outside of classroom duties, tbd. I've pursued and am achieving my dream. Leaving my current position will be dificult, especially as I've grown close to my coworkers. We have an intimate little group of the three of us. We've developed our own inside jokes and have countless funny stories. But, I was never meant to stay at this job long-term. It doesn't suit my personality, and while it does feed some passions, it leaves others desiring so much more. I'm grateful for my time here, but I'm comfortable and confident in my decision to move on. I'm hopeful for my future as a Rocket.