I know I complain a lot. I am trying to stay positive, but it's easy to get lost in all the challenging circumstances and frustrating bureaucracy. But here is the one wonderful part of my job: working with kids who are brilliant and creative and funny.
One of my favorite students is a boy who was in my class last year. This year, he has a different teacher for the whole day, but I allow him to come to my room and play on the computer sometimes. This impresses the current 6th graders, who are only allowed in the room for tutoring. This student often asks me if I am married or have children. He is concerned about me, apparently.
This week, he asked, "Ms. Moretti, do you have a husband or any kids yet?"
"No, nothing has changed since the last time you asked me," I told him.
He paused for a moment, then looked at me with an optimistic expression.
"Ms. Moretti, I really hope Santa brings you a husband for Christmas this year."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
November Update
Hi, everyone!
Just thought I would post since I haven't in a while.
Life has been a blur of studying, teaching, taking class, meetings, and working on everything that needs to be turned in - for some reason, I have a lot of things due almost every day.
School has gotten a lot crazier lately. At first, the second year was much better, but there are new challenges every day. I'm just taking it one day at a time, but there's constantly so much to do. There are also a lot of frustrating and overwhelming situations, but that's just part of the Teach For America experience. I'm so much happier when I'm not at school, but it's hard to stay away. There are just not enough hours in the day to lesson plan, support students, prepare materials, track achievement, and also fulfill all the administrative duties of a special education teacher.
This year, though, I have been better about setting limits. I leave work at a fairly decent hour now to go swimming or go to the gym, and I'm a lot happier for it. If I don't set limits, I could easily stay in my classroom til 9 or 10 PM (like last year) and STILL not accomplish all the things I needed to get done.
My students are doing pretty well academically, though. We're doing a pretty fun geometry unit right now. Also, the inclusion students are thriving, which I'm very psyched about because I started the program at my school. My co-teachers are awesome! Okay, time to go finish an assignment for UH.
Just thought I would post since I haven't in a while.
Life has been a blur of studying, teaching, taking class, meetings, and working on everything that needs to be turned in - for some reason, I have a lot of things due almost every day.
School has gotten a lot crazier lately. At first, the second year was much better, but there are new challenges every day. I'm just taking it one day at a time, but there's constantly so much to do. There are also a lot of frustrating and overwhelming situations, but that's just part of the Teach For America experience. I'm so much happier when I'm not at school, but it's hard to stay away. There are just not enough hours in the day to lesson plan, support students, prepare materials, track achievement, and also fulfill all the administrative duties of a special education teacher.
This year, though, I have been better about setting limits. I leave work at a fairly decent hour now to go swimming or go to the gym, and I'm a lot happier for it. If I don't set limits, I could easily stay in my classroom til 9 or 10 PM (like last year) and STILL not accomplish all the things I needed to get done.
My students are doing pretty well academically, though. We're doing a pretty fun geometry unit right now. Also, the inclusion students are thriving, which I'm very psyched about because I started the program at my school. My co-teachers are awesome! Okay, time to go finish an assignment for UH.
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