All Hallows Eve Week

This week, I am finally gaining some confidence in teaching (even if it is short-lived). I'm also losing my keys and phone, misplacing everything, and forgetting whether I am coming or going. I'm sure it doesn't help that we are just finishing up Fall sports with our three children, my daughter is doing a drama production, my son is working and fund-raising for his robotics team and other academic clubs, and I'm helping with the sets for the play along with student teaching and everything else. Oh, and the band concert tonight.

Somehow, in the midst of the chaos and the crazy hyper K-12 art classes, I am starting to laugh and enjoy teaching. At first, I was super nervous and I'm sure the students noticed. I'm starting to find myself, laugh and have a little fun with it. In my tenth week, I know the students well and they know me. They still push it and try to get away with everything they can. I'm working on growing those "eyes" on the back of my head and getting better at multi-tasking. Always being aware of where students are, what they are doing and how they are doing is a must! My own children are not quite so adept at being sneaky but some students in my classes cannot be trusted. They do get caught stealing or destroying supplies or just causing a ruckus. If it can be done, they'll try it! I actually had a 7th period 8th grade student, a couple of weeks ago, climb a beam to the ceiling just like spiderman. I was a little shocked but politely ask him to stay seated. I never really thought that not bouncing off the walls or climbing them should be in the class rules.

Another thing I'm beginning to love is seeing the creative process evolve. I'm always pleasantly surprised to see how students execute projects. With 25 students there are 25 different interpretations of it. I never could have imagined all of the results. It it so cool!

This week, my goal is to just keep my head on straight, arrive on time and ready to teach! It's a crazy week with the Holiday season almost upon us. Last year, I noticed that students were pretty much excited and lacked focus from now until mid-January. There was about 3 months of solid instruction and getting the routines back after the holidays and then spring break fever hits! The sun stays out later and so do the students.