End of Year (Close Enough Anyway) Reflections

This is the time when I start to wish I had another year to take everything I've learned and make it better. Sadly, since I've worked in 4 different schools in 5 years, this happens to me more often than many, and if I do stay teaching I can't wait to have some stability. I have learned soooooo much this year.

1. I CAN teach 6th graders, even if they are taller than me. When I started working, I had no idea what grade level I'd be teaching in. I was a floating teacher for a week to help with beginning-of-year testing until they finalized enrollment and figured out where I was needed. I was told one day it would be third grade, and I was thrilled. After 4 years in first grade, I was DONE with the really young ones and thought third grade would be a nice step up without going through real age-difference-shock. Then, the next day, some unforeseen issues came up and I was needed in 6th grade. I was really, really scared, and I'm sure the kids knew it. In the end, it worked out though and I've been really happy.

2. Begin with the end in mind. After getting off to a late start and being completely unfamiliar with the curriculum, I just plunged into the textbooks and taught each and every lesson. I knew I was behind and not on track at all to get through everything, but as much as I tried to speed things up I couldn't make up for lost time. During Spring Break, I took a look at the pacing guide and realized I wasted 2 precious weeks teaching a chapter I didn't need and found really boring. I could have been going deeper into other material and having more fun with it, but instead we learned about the Bantu migration. *Yawn.*

3. In order to begin with the end in mind, it's vital to have job stability. My position was originally for a semester only. Considering that and the fact that I started late, I never really had good planning time. I had to dive right in without looking back. At a time when I could have taken a breath and done some real planning (Christmas) I didn't think I had a job to come back to. I wasn't going to spend my time in Texas planning for a class I didn't know if I still had!

4. I did the best I could with what I had. I tend to take WAY too much responsibility for every little thing, and it's important to step back, realize the limitations, and celebrate rising above them to the best of your ability. I feel that I did that. I have regrets, as always, but I hope I was more successful than not.

5. 6th graders are more like first graders than I thought. That probably sums it up nicely. I don't think elaboration is needed.

6. I have to do better about keeping up with grading.

7. If a school doesn't have an online grade book, it's important to send grades home regularly. You can't trust 6th graders to show their parents their papers. Obvious, I know, but it wasn't to me at first. My previous schools were online so it wasn't a problem.

8. If I teach again, as I probably will, I definitely want 4th or 5th grade. I loved my 6th grade experience, but it's not where I really want to be. I'll just have to cross my fingers one of those grades is available!

9. La Mesa students are the best, even if the school and district has issues. Seriously, I am so impressed by every student I have interacted with at that school. In my case specifically, the 6th graders are amazing. Growing up, 6th grade was middle school, and I am an elementary teacher--not middle school! It has been a stellar year though, and I have actually enjoyed going to work. Wonderful, wonderful kids.

10. I will miss La Mesa and I wish I had another year to fix the mistakes I made. It feels like such a shame to learn such great stuff only to leave!

I wish I could post a picture of my great class, but there's all sorts of privacy issues and permissions to be obtained, and it just takes too long. I'm lucky to get the post up--I can't imagine how long it would take if I had to go through permission slips and editing first!