The last update I gave on my teaching was really at the end of the first quarter of the year. It’s been a LONG TIME since, but the year is now OFFICIALLY OVER, as I enter into summer mode.
As I reflect back upon the events of the year, there were obviously negatives and positives. I will flesh out the negatives first so that I can end this post on a positive and potentially enlightening post.
THE NEGATIVES. Working at a charter school is about as true as the myths tell you – it requires an extensive amount of dedication and hard work to be able to do so appropriately. It took me a while to learn all the systems in place at Rise and be able to executive it properly. At certain times during the year I felt like I was making things up along as I went along, especially in Advisory. It was super difficult to build a curriculum from scratch, especially in Technology – especially with our glorious leader Nathaniel Hanna leaving after just one quarter. It was super frustrating dealing with people in leadership who put us down when our stress levels were already out of control. Things were not properly communicated at certain times, and there was a lack of a cohesive discipline policy in place at the school. My technology classes were okay in terms of behavior, but one of my history classes was really stressing me out because I couldn’t manage them properly. And so, I hope to be able to improve my classroom management next year, maintaining a calm, yet respectful demeanor with the kids. To not be their friends, and to be more firm in my discipline policies. And yet…
THE POSITIVES. Minus a few annoying nuisances, the majority of students at Rise Kohyang Middle School are beyond amazing! The school also presents us so many opportunities to take them on LELS (Life Experience Lessons), from Captain America: Civil War to my very own Phil’s BBQ/Laser Tag Trip.
Technology was a fun experience, and having students complete their Digital Portfolios might have seemed like a drag at the time, but it ended up resulting in the completion of Student Led Conferences for each and every student! And if you don’t know what that is, don’t bother asking, because it’s beyond complicated for me to explain to somebody not working at Rise.
History was fun to teach, and I am truly passionate about the subject still, even if one my classes really drove me nuts tremendously. What I will say is I have learned to be more firm and strict next year, and maybe even refusing to tell any jokes until the 2nd or 3rd month of teaching. It’s going to be difficult but if I can strike the correct balance between being firm and friendly, I will be a much more well respected teacher.
Even if the students manage to piss me off one day, I still have my wonderful co-workers, who have a special place in my heart forever. Charter schools truly attract the best, most inspirational teachers (much more so than the old disgruntled and apathetic teachers at Cram Middle School my previous year). They are great to joke around with, and they bring a smile to my face despite the stressful and often ridiculous environment we are in. After all, our school is on the 2nd floor of an office building, without any room for the students to go out and play.
Shoutout to Court Jester Johnson for having my back through the Nathaniel and Caitlin Dynasties. Shoutout to Princess Diaz for being an amazing and supportive 8th grader. Shoutout to King Ritchie for always knowing how to have a good time. And shoutout to Goddess Goss for saving the Tech team when we needed it the most. Shoutout to Elizabeth for the rant sessions. Shoutout to Sabrina for always being real. Shoutout to Karlie for being an excellent I.A and always helping me with what I needed in the classroom.
Next year – I don’t know where I’ll be, but I’m hoping I have made some serious friends FOR LIFE.
