| | The biggest sigh in the world could not accurately convey how relieved I am tonight. Not only did I make it through the week of inservice (and my classroom is darn cute if you ask me!), but I also survived year two of back-to-school night. Now, in order to fully appreciate how well tonight went, let me preface this by explaining that last year, it was awful. I talked really really fast for about ten minutes, shook in my boots as I stared at unfamiliar faces in the classroom, and stumbled through an awkward orientation to third grade. When I was finished, I dismissed everyone, and then realized that Jo Anne was still talking away next door. Whoops...I ended too soon. And I said only a fraction of the things I meant to say. Ugh.
Needless to say, after a bad experience with back-to-school night, I was NOT looking forward to tonight. I was prepared to be shaky and nervous and stuttering again. Not this time! This time I made small talk with the parents and students until it was time to begin the orientation. I started with prayer and dove right in to my class handbook, which I wrote yesterday. (It's called the ABC's of Ms. Craig's class and has topics in ABC order. i.e. Absence, Attendance, Birthdays, Communication, etc.) I talked pretty quickly again this time, but I was flying through the packet and trying to communicate everything they ought to know about 3rd grade. As I was rattling off information about the new tardy policy, it occured to me that I was comfortable, cool, and collected. I knew what I was doing, and what I was talking about, and they were in my domain. Awesome!
When I finished talking (40 minutes later--not kidding!), Jo Anne's class had already finished. What a switch from last year! I had several parents come and tell me that I did a fantastic job, and a couple of them said that I really had it all together (fooled them!). It felt amazing to start the year off on such a positive foot with so many of these parents. I couldn't ask for a bigger blessing.
Sorry for all of the school updates. It's an all-consuming profession. Personal life? What personal life? I might have one by the end of September... :)
Tomorrow, Abby and I plan to use our pool passes and enjoy summer one last time. It will be wonderful! Then we'll have to go into school and work on lesson plans for a bit and put away all of the supplies that the kids brought tonight. But not yet. It's still summer...sort of! :)
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| | Posted 8/23/2008 12:27 AM - 6 views - 1 comments
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