Bobby part Deux

Hi All,

Today was a very tiring day. Even though having a co-teacher helps a lot, but having 28 students in the class while thinking through things you had not thought of (like how difficult it is to fit so many students in a circle on the limited amount of rug space) and problem solving on the spot.

Not to mention that one particular child reminds me of my dear friend from my second placement at a certain charter school. Yes, I believe it feels like him part 2. He is defiant, he does all he can to push my buttons and he does not follow directions- he does the opposite of what is expected of him! I want to pull my hair out. I guess I had some unresolved issues with a particular little person because his personality, I feel, is back to haunt me. But seriously I need to keep in mind that these two little persons are different, no matter how much their mannerisms and attitudes remind me of the first little guy I encountered in my second placement. I really do not want my past experience to encounter this relationship I am establishing with this new little guy, but how can it not? I don't know how I can help this child. I don't know what new strategies to try. I feel like I really have nothing new to try.

As I reflect on this first day, I feel that you are never completely ready for the first day of school no matter how much you plan and how many back up plans you have. I made so many planning mistakes today (as in forgetting what I planned!) however I having you lesson plans handy to look at and write on is essential, and helps so much when you are trying to keep on track and remember all the activities you have dreamed up. However, it is never what you expect to go wrong that actually goes wrong. I was so scared of teaching an entire class in Spanish. I was thinking, oh my goodness, I am never going to say all the Spanish words that I need to say, I am going to teach the poor children Spanglish and they are not going to understand neither Spanish nor English.

This is going to be a very interesting year. We have an interesting bunch of children and I feel that we will have quite a bit of management issues to deal with. I was already going to make a call home for the aforementioned little person (but of course the phone number that I have is disconnected) but I feel that the issues are just beginning. Oh, the life of a teacher. :)

mucho amor,
Janet