I am obnoxiously happy at my new job.
This morning I had to present at a staff meeting. Last year, even if I just had to say a few words about something, my principal made me rehearse in his office. (I say "so" too much and phrase things as questions rather than statements.) *So*, this morning, when my principal called me up to speak, my stomach was flip flopping. (And not in a good way, like when a boy I like texts me.) I went over my "Menu of Reading Specialist Services," and it seemed to go well. People were smiling and nodding. But the best part was afterwards. My principal pulled me into her office to tell me how impressed she was, and how I'm going to be her right-hand person this year. It is so nice to be listened to and respected. She even commented that I didn't have to be so formal! I also had FIVE teachers approach me for advice today, and I am helping them with various things in their classrooms. (This is actually a bigger deal than it seems, considering we only have about 15 teachers. It's a super small school.)
The situation is overwhelming. Only a little over 50% of our students met on ISAT last year. But I feel like we can make some good progress this year. I have a million ideas, and my principal is so supportive. I'm also happy that the majority of my time will be spent working with students, where I actually feel like I'm making a difference. It's the perfect balance.
Something else that will help with this is my friend, April. She is like my work wife. We text/email back and forth all day, even nights and weekends. I was at a party Saturday night and felt guilty about texting, but April and I were talking about leveled readers! I love working with a friend who is just as passionate about reading instruction as I am.
The other great thing is that my principal is serious about seeing change in classrooms. There are teachers at the school who have been teaching the same way for years and want to keep the kids in rows, giving them worksheets. Just like my school last year. The difference is that my principal is not okay with that. Next week, we are meeting with groups of teachers to find out specifically what they're going to do differently than last year. I'm providing a checklist of everything they need to get started with Guided Reading, and I am there to help them with anything and everything. I am also making muffins. Because I feel like, if you were getting overwhelmed, a muffin and orange juice would make things better. Also, I was listening to Joyce Meyer yesterday, and she said, "Have you planned how you are going to be a blessing to someone today?" So this is something I want to be more intentional about. And next week I'm going to do that by making muffins.
This morning I had to present at a staff meeting. Last year, even if I just had to say a few words about something, my principal made me rehearse in his office. (I say "so" too much and phrase things as questions rather than statements.) *So*, this morning, when my principal called me up to speak, my stomach was flip flopping. (And not in a good way, like when a boy I like texts me.) I went over my "Menu of Reading Specialist Services," and it seemed to go well. People were smiling and nodding. But the best part was afterwards. My principal pulled me into her office to tell me how impressed she was, and how I'm going to be her right-hand person this year. It is so nice to be listened to and respected. She even commented that I didn't have to be so formal! I also had FIVE teachers approach me for advice today, and I am helping them with various things in their classrooms. (This is actually a bigger deal than it seems, considering we only have about 15 teachers. It's a super small school.)
The situation is overwhelming. Only a little over 50% of our students met on ISAT last year. But I feel like we can make some good progress this year. I have a million ideas, and my principal is so supportive. I'm also happy that the majority of my time will be spent working with students, where I actually feel like I'm making a difference. It's the perfect balance.
Something else that will help with this is my friend, April. She is like my work wife. We text/email back and forth all day, even nights and weekends. I was at a party Saturday night and felt guilty about texting, but April and I were talking about leveled readers! I love working with a friend who is just as passionate about reading instruction as I am.
The other great thing is that my principal is serious about seeing change in classrooms. There are teachers at the school who have been teaching the same way for years and want to keep the kids in rows, giving them worksheets. Just like my school last year. The difference is that my principal is not okay with that. Next week, we are meeting with groups of teachers to find out specifically what they're going to do differently than last year. I'm providing a checklist of everything they need to get started with Guided Reading, and I am there to help them with anything and everything. I am also making muffins. Because I feel like, if you were getting overwhelmed, a muffin and orange juice would make things better. Also, I was listening to Joyce Meyer yesterday, and she said, "Have you planned how you are going to be a blessing to someone today?" So this is something I want to be more intentional about. And next week I'm going to do that by making muffins.
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