One day I just ended up in the newspaper as a "First Year Teacher". As I'm smiling for the picture I'm thinking, "You don't have to put this in there". I never thought I'd be a teacher. My mom has been an educator for over 20 years. I've been in numerous classrooms, volunteered, and made connections with individuals in the education system and still never thought to be a teacher. Even while I was in college, my first two years I "thought" about becoming a principal, but changed my mind. While I worked with children in other agencies, I graduated with my MBA. After a few months (seemingly out of nowhere) I was hired as an English/Language Arts Teacher. My first day of work (planning week), I cried. I felt so overwhelmed and did not know what in the world I was doing. There are so many people who I graduated high school with that had the desire to become teachers. It was their dream! For me, that wasn't the case! Every day that went by people continually congratulated me and said well wishes. They were over joyed at the thought of me teaching or "following in my mothers foot steps". My inner-thoughts at the time were "Yeah, thanks", but with a smile I always responded with joy.
The first day of school was frightening. Seventeen mini humans coming in looking at me for direction. Learning names and attaching them to faces. I even gave nicknames. At one point, if I didn't call their nickname, they were offended (or knew they were in trouble). Half the school year went by and it was Christmas break. Anyone that personally knows me knows I LOVE Christmas. So having two weeks off was a beautiful thing! After the break we jumped right into the testing period. Those two-three months of preparation (and then testing week), seemed like the most stressful and frightening time of the school year. It's interesting to experience testing in the past as a student, being a teacher and knowing the importance of testing, and watching the students test in that moment. After testing, it seemed like the school year was over. The entire school year went by so fast. Most importantly, the feelings I had in the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year changed completely. The mini humans had grown on me (how dare they). They seriously (got on my nerves) brought me laughter, gave me more patience, and helped me grow. As they asked me to sign their yearbooks, it brought back so many memories of me as a middle school student.
Isaiah 55: 8-9 states, " For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, "says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts". That was definitely the lesson of the school year for me. Being this was not the plan (or what I went to school for), I've continually had to trust in God and believe that he has a plan for my life in this season! Nonetheless, I am grateful. I could be in a different position or without a job, but he saw fit to use me in this way.
This past school year was all about growth and learning. I truly enjoyed the interaction with my babies and forming relationships with them. One of my biggest things was developing respect (on both ends) and maintaining a structured classroom which set the foundation allowing me to reach them. I would have never thought I would go back to 7th grade, but I am so happy I did.
The first day of school was frightening. Seventeen mini humans coming in looking at me for direction. Learning names and attaching them to faces. I even gave nicknames. At one point, if I didn't call their nickname, they were offended (or knew they were in trouble). Half the school year went by and it was Christmas break. Anyone that personally knows me knows I LOVE Christmas. So having two weeks off was a beautiful thing! After the break we jumped right into the testing period. Those two-three months of preparation (and then testing week), seemed like the most stressful and frightening time of the school year. It's interesting to experience testing in the past as a student, being a teacher and knowing the importance of testing, and watching the students test in that moment. After testing, it seemed like the school year was over. The entire school year went by so fast. Most importantly, the feelings I had in the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year changed completely. The mini humans had grown on me (how dare they). They seriously (got on my nerves) brought me laughter, gave me more patience, and helped me grow. As they asked me to sign their yearbooks, it brought back so many memories of me as a middle school student.
Isaiah 55: 8-9 states, " For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, "says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts". That was definitely the lesson of the school year for me. Being this was not the plan (or what I went to school for), I've continually had to trust in God and believe that he has a plan for my life in this season! Nonetheless, I am grateful. I could be in a different position or without a job, but he saw fit to use me in this way.
So here are some memorable moments from my first year:
Top five Questions asked from students:
1. Are you related to Mrs. Way (every single day!!!)?
2. Do we have to read (or Do we have to do this today)?
3. Why aren't you married (Do you have any children)?
4. Did you go on a date this weekend?
5. Can I go to the bathroom/ Can I go buy a drink?
Top quotes/sayings:
1. "What up Ms. Cooper!"
2. "There are no limitations" (class quote)
3. "Yeet"
4." Can we get on our phones?"
Top Songs:
1. Kevin Gates-Satellites
2. Kevin Gates- Two Phones
3. ILoveMemphis- Hit the Quan
4. Silento- Watch Me (Nae Nae)
5. Hotling Bling-Drake (Spongebob Version "You used to call me on my shellphone"
4. Silento- Watch Me (Nae Nae)
5. Hotling Bling-Drake (Spongebob Version "You used to call me on my shellphone"
Things I didn't know:
1. What HAGS meant (Have a great summer)
2. What does YEET mean? (Still don't know what this means)
Things they had to know (or at least felt like they did):
1. How old I was
2. Where I went to school (Go Noles)
3. What made me become a teacher
4. What were my summer plans
Things I realized:
1. There are so many personalities in one classroom
2. Teaching is hard, hard work (and encompasses multiple jobs in one)
3. Students need support, encouragement, and love (the classroom is the home away from home)
4. It takes a village. The teacher alone or the parent alone can't do it all
5. Stay on them. Children like discipline (even when they say they don't)
6. Give them respect
7. They notice EVERYTHING
8. They love to hear about you and learn real life lessons
9. Allow them to ask questions. As they grow, some adults turn from allowing them to ask "why, why, why" to "stop asking me questions". Questioning is good. It means they are thinking.
10. Being off for the summer is wonderful! (Now all I need now is a food truck!)
This past school year was all about growth and learning. I truly enjoyed the interaction with my babies and forming relationships with them. One of my biggest things was developing respect (on both ends) and maintaining a structured classroom which set the foundation allowing me to reach them. I would have never thought I would go back to 7th grade, but I am so happy I did.
