Get Up And Go

As you may recall, the other day I had a Bad Day.  I had to hold the reins pretty tight in my G3 class, so I know some of them were less than thrilled with me; then most of my kindergarteners in my back-to-back-to-back classes were out of control.  Plus a few weird interactions with kids left me slightly shaken.  By day's end, I felt defeated.  I took half an hour between my last class and drama club rehearsal to walk to Starbucks.  I strolled toward my salvation - a dirty soy chai and chocolate muffin - listening to my "Happy" playlist and musing over how to shake my funk.

One of my professional goals for this year was to improve classroom management.  Ms. W, my wonderful boss and mentor, addressed this one first in our annual goals meeting.  "It's experience," she reminded me.  "You're smart.  I know this.  You know this.  It takes time."  She was right.  I do know.  But as I mentioned, as a perfectionist, I want to get it right the first time - even though that's impossible.  My struggles with classroom management frustrate me to no end.

One suggestion Ms. W gave me was to observe my students in their homeroom classes.  Watch how the classroom teacher and intern manage them.  Steal the language they use, the signals they show, the methods they employ to keep particular students and the class as a whole under control.

As I ambled along, this advice occurred to me.  I had thought of her suggestion a few times over the past month, but there was always something more pressing.  I ought to freshen up that bulletin board, or tidy up this part of the classroom, or organize the costumes for the upcoming play.  No more, I decided - I've hit my breaking point.  It's time to make this a priority.

When I got back to school, I sat down to draft an email.  I wrote to all the PK and K teachers to inform them that I plan to observe in their classrooms on a specific day this week, assuming it suits their schedules.  (Thanks to a G1 field trip, Thursday was just waiting to be filled - serendipity!)  While I'm sure they wouldn't have minded if I just dropped in, I knew that if I sent that email, I wouldn't be able to put it off again.

I received such wonderful responses from those teachers to enthusiastically affirm my visit, confirm schedules, and even suggest guest teaching in the homeroom to change up the dynamic with the students.  What a wonderful reminder of the warm, supportive faculty community I am so lucky to be a part of.  It was such a joy to go in and take notes, engage with my students in a situation where I feel less pressure, and continue to reflect and grow.

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Currently reading:  well, do the scenes for the MS Drama Club production count?
Current high:  kindergarten hugs are the best hugs :)
Current low:  the sleep deprivation of November...