From Ponds to Oceans

What a month! This past month at school has been crazy.  From testing, to receiving information about our schedule and placement for next year, life has been anything but normal.  This should not come as a surprise to anyone in the world of teaching.  Our field is one that is constantly evolving.  We look for areas that we can improve in and do whatever possible to improve for the success of our students.

The school I teach at has a very varied population.  Our demographics range from students who are homeless to students who live in very nice subdivisions.  We have a huge ESOL population, as well.  Needless to say, our job is never boring.  I love where I work and I love the challenges and successes that come with the population I get to work with every day.

I promise there is a point to all this rambling.  Before I get into my post, I want to share a quote I found from C. JoyBell C.

“We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better.”
― C. JoyBell C.

This quote embodies what our school has experienced lately. One of the decisions our staff and administration made for the upcoming school year is to rework our schedule. Instead of teaching by grade level, we are teaching in content bands. There are three content areas: Math, Reading/Language Arts, and Science/Social Studies. Of those three bands, teachers are either K-2 or 3-5. We filled out a survey and were placed into placements where it was thought we would fit best.
Change is scary.  There is no getting around it.  It is hard to leave something that you know works well to try something different.  It is a huge leap of faith for everyone involved.

I feel like the quote above speaks volumes for where our school is and the direction we are headed.  Everyone in the building is about to make an 180° change in every aspect of our craft.  We have to truly shift our thinking as teachers in every sense.  Becoming a true team is imperative for success. We have to take a leap out of our pond to see what type of ocean is out there.

Look Who's Back...

That'd be me!

I have recently decided to get back into blogging now that I am somewhat settled (sidenote - does that ever actually happen in teaching?!) into my teaching career.  I blogged for a while through college and just gave it up as I journeyed through my first year of teaching.  However, I am back at it and cannot wait.  I hope to possibly start making some freebies to share as well. :)

Allow me to introduce myself...

My name is Sarah and I currently live in a suburb of the lovely (and large) city of Atlanta, Georgia.  I was raised in a small town and moved here about a year ago.  Adjusting to larger city life has been tough, but I finally feel like I am adjusting to things.  

 

I got married to the most amazing man in the world in December. We are loving married life... God has blessed us so much! Planning a wedding during my first semester of teaching was interesting to say the least.  We made it through and had the wedding of our dreams. Being married to a teacher puts an entirely different spin on the job.  We are both very different teachers and I feel that makes us both stronger.  It has been so nice to have someone who understands what has been going on during this past year.  

To begin my blog, I am going to do a "Currently" post.  Here's to blogging and learning from all the amazing teacher bloggers out there.

Listening: Mr. B was playing NCAA 2012 earlier to destress after a crazy day... technically I am listening to Dancing with the Stars.  We are completely obsessed with this show, especially Amy and Derek!

Loving: ATL has gotten some amazing weather this week. I am completely in love with the 85*+ weather we had this afternoon.

Thinking: I can't stop stressing about all we have to get done before we travel to Michigan for a wedding.  It is going to be an insane weekend, for sure!

Wanting: I should be finding out my placement for next year.  I recently found out that I would be switched to a general education placement next year.  I am very excited and very anxious to begin planning

Needing: I need to workout today, so Mr. B and I decided to do a DWTS workout I found online. Burpees and crunches galore!

Surprise: I found The Journey of a Beginning Teacher today and I cannot wait to explore her blog! I love learning from others, especially those who are in the same place I am.