So, we got out state exam results back. Relatively speaking, when compared to Newark, and especially when compared to our SLT (that’s the geographic region within the city), I did pretty well. My students might even have been #1 within the SLT, but I’m still waiting on the breakdown.
With that said, teachers head back into their classrooms tomorrow, and students come back next Monday. After a long but pretty busy summer, I’m ready to get round 2 on the road. I get the same kids, but a new curriculum (8th grade). As I’m applying to grad school, I know this is almost certainly my last year in the school. I’ll keep this short and sweet– here are the resolutions of a 2nd year teacher.
1) No excuses– I will be prepared every single day– nothing is a valid excuse not to be. I will not at any moment give in to the lethargy around me. Despite what I see around me, I will be teaching every moment I am supposed to.
2) I will complete all of my work at school, knowing full well that I will likely be at school till 7 or so every day. On Fridays, despite every bone in my body wanting to dart home, I will prepare for the next week. When I teach Saturdays, I will spend time after teaching completing my work, as well.
3) When I go home on weekdays and on weekend days I am not teaching (mostly Sundays), I will not think about school. My time will not be filled by thoughts of my students.
4) I will do RIDICULOUS things in my classroom. I did this sometimes last year, but it has to be more this year. This is my final year teaching– I’m pulling out all the stops.
5) I will remember that teaching the curriculum is just a part of my job. It is just as important to create a group of citizens who demonstrate good character and know the value of hard work.
6) I will deeply invest my kids, realizing full well that an invested student takes half the time to learn something as an uninvested student.
7) I will go out of my way to show my kids that I care about them even if I look different and am different from them in almost every way.
I will be completely and utterly exhausted by the end of the year. This is the last time I am doing this– I don’t need to save my energy for anything.
9) I will not waste time– every moment will either be dedicated fully to my teaching if I’m at school, or to myself if I am not at school. No time will be wasted for any reason.
10) I will get as many of my students as possible into either the magnet schools, charter schools, or honors programs within the regular public schools. That is how I will change the lives of my students.
