And thus ends my first semester ever of being a full time teacher. Coming in, I didn’t expect things to be nearly as decent as they were. In other words, I was prepared for chaos. What I got instead was some half decent students. Although, judging by their lack of effort on the final semester exams, their motivational levels are extremely low.
I don’t mind grading so much as the bureaucratic mess that the federal government has created with their constantly changing educational reform initiatives. What was “No Child Left Behind” in the past is now “Race to the Top”, all with the intent of pushing Common Core in all 50 states. The only problem is the tests are designed in a way to only really benefit the schools that already are doing well, and punish those that aren’t. It’s extremely difficult when teachers get blamed for low test scores, when it’s the students that don’t put in the effort. We’ll see what the future holds in terms of federal standards and testing, but I hope by 2016 we can push forward to give the states more autonomy in choosing their own curriculum. Although, judging by the Clarke County School District, those standards and guidelines change roughly every 3 years.
On a more positive note, I survived! And it turns out I’m losing three of my bad students due to schedule changes next semester. Instead of having a 6th period prep, I now have a 2nd period prep, reminiscent of my Santiago student teaching days.
Today, I helped to decorate my room. Using blockposters.com, I printed out some infographics and taped them together.
I then proceeded to redecorate my room hanging the posters all around.
It was only when I was done that I realized that the posters I hung up are kind of crooked. Whoops.
In the end, I opted for a four desk team setup for next quarter. Hopefully it all works out.
I know I’m not going to change the world teaching. If I could change the life of just one kid and steer them in the right direct, I know I’m doing my job.
