Why I Love My Job

The following a post I wrote on my personal blog about why love teaching at my school. I haven’t written much lately, so I thought you’d like a little peek into what I’m up to.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how much I love teaching at SMHS this week. I have been so blessed by my students and coworkers and just had to share some of the highlights of the week.

I have one student (a 9th grader in Dance I) who has had a major injury every week of school. He came back to school today after being in the hospital all day yesterday as a result of two stab wounds. He came limping into class, but had a great attitude and always participates as much as his doctors notes will allow. After class, I started talking with him and the two other boys in the class and had the opportunity to encourage them that gang life and the drug world do not pay off. One of the guys told me he figured that out for himself after witnessing a drive by shooting. I’m so glad I’m able to have serious conversations with them so early in the school year!

Another reason to be thankful is the new way I have been able to relate to students. Since I am coaching the dance team, I have a lot of time to spend with my students. I have been getting to know them on a much deeper level than last year. Two of the girls have been extremely open with me and we have already had several conversations about deep “real life” topics. I have been so thankful for the opportunity to be involved in these kids lives more than I ever could if I were only in a core-curriculum classroom. I have worked hard to be transparent and show them my personality in order to be a mentor for those who need one.

Lastly, I am so thankful for all my students and their hard work. They keep me giggling all the time and I look forward to every moment with them. Here are some photos I took from our assembly two weeks ago.

Homecoming Spirit Week Contest!

It was spirit week this week and the Homecoming theme was HOLLYWOOD! I’ve included pictures of me all dressed up and thought it would be fun for you to guess what the spirit week days were.

Have fun!

Day One.

We even danced to The Lion King

 Day Two.

Ouch...

Day Three.

Those tights have sturrups on the bottom and are authentic '80s.

Day Four.

Ta da!

Day Five.

Yes, that's purple eye shadow.

Time to start guessing!

2 Weeks Down!

This year is a far cry from last year! I know the basic procedures of the start of school, I have my classroom management in place already, I actually have a reputation at the school, and I know where I want my curriculum to head before I even teach it!

It’s been a crazy two weeks – I’ve been rather sick, so it’s been difficult to have enough energy to teach the way I want to. I am teaching four dance classes (at least I’m getting regular exercise!) and one physics. The physics class started out with 43 Physics H students and 8 AP students (yes, 51 kids crammed in my room – it was literally standing room only!). We did some scheduling adjustments and now I have 18 AP students.

Which means I only have 10 AP books! I hate to waste paper, but I’ll have to be copying the first few chapters until we can get new books. We’re doing a quick review of unit conversions, significant digits, etc. before we do two quick labs to set up standard deviation and lab report procedures.

Then it’s on to the start of Dynamics & Kinematics – woot!