I left for the summer with my carefully set goals for the new school year. (If I knew how to enter dramatic music here, I would place an ominous sounding music clip.) My principal called me in early June for a quick meeting for the upcoming year. After many years of considering (and rejecting proposals) my school is realigning its groupings (surprise!), and would I be willing to teach Math in the new unit? Of course, I say "yes" and begin to consider all the new things I would like to achieve in the new position. I know I can't utilize everything on my list of goals for the new year, but I'm excited to consider new things as well. I get to work.
(Insert your own music choice here once you read the paragraph.) I received another invitation to the office 10 days later from my new boss (because my grade was realigned, I have a new boss) asking me if I would consider teaching math in a different set of grades, and obviously, new material. I accepted for a myriad of reasons, and I am excited to have done so. However, that put me in a bit of a scramble since nothing was finalized until the beginning of July. I have been digging in and developing plans and activities in hope of not starting the year behind the eight ball. Oh, and I got to meet the new principal. (So, really two new bosses.)
For some of you, this describes your situation. Nothing is set is stone. You'll be scrambling trying to get everything prepared for the new year. Decorating, planning, filling out forms, finding the passwords for the teacher edition, learning new protocols and trying to keep your mind focused on being enthusiastic for the new year and developing new things you'd like to implement. Maybe you are still interviewing and hoping that you get your own classroom. Find below the five things that help me when everything is new.
- Make a List. Whatever the case may be, the only thing that keeps me sane during this time period are the lists of things I need/want to do and the lists of things I need to create, purchase or borrow. Somehow, when everything seems uncertain, having a list, no matter how daunting or dreamtastic, makes me feel like I can get it all done. When I can see what is left to do, I can feel like more of it is manageable.
- Make a Determination. Instead of lamenting having to change my original ideas and goals, I have had to determine that this is now my dream job. I treat everything about the sudden change as though it was a gift from Heaven - a dream opportunity. My classroom is completely decorated (with the exception of a few school mandated items that will be prepared once I find out what the new things will be) and I have a rough idea of how I plan to teach all of the standards and reach all of the students. So, instead of all of my original plans, I've had to shift gears. It starts with your mindset. Growth mindset is not just for our kids. :)
- Make Boundaries. I have more to do than I can within the time allotted, so I make firm boundaries for my job responsibilities. School can not encroach this day, or this set of hours where I do whatever it is I determine is a priority. For example, school can not encroach my Wednesday night church time. School can not encroach my Saturday afternoon family time. Then, stick with it. Everything that is new to you will still be there after you take a break in your safe time for you.
- Make a Discovery. Every day, I make a real effort to learn something new or to discover something new about someone with whom I work, or someone with whom I teach. Sometimes I learn new things about my subject area or my teaching or about pop culture. It doesn't matter. Look for something to learn - especially when everything is new to you. Every day you learn something new, you are one step closer to the new environment becoming old hat.
- Make yourself a Blessing. Take time to encourage someone else every day. I try to take a moment each day to pop my head into someone's room and find something I can admire. I work to encourage someone different every day. (Yes, I know that people say don't engage co-workers so you can get home earlier.) Yes, I know that some people don't want to be interrupted, but by taking literally 60 seconds to stand at someone's door and tell them that you love their border/background combination or you like the way they placed their desk groupings or whatever, you will find that in extending kindness to others, you will feel better and the new will not be so ominous. It works for me - every time!
Happy new school year!
First published August 3, 2018
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