I tell ya, I've got colour-coded day plans, erasable calendars with different events in different coloured ink, a planning book, marking sheets AND attendance sheets for 13 different groups of students, particular places to put permission forms, 'About Me' forms, contact information, theory marks for each class, binders for each school with dividers for each class, different place to keep track of school-related stuff and me-related stuff (I'm learning the importance of compartmentalizing my life), THE LIST GOES ON.
Seriously, all my Type-A friends and family would be so proud of me. On top of all that, my room is clean, laundry is done, I spent Saturday morning cleaning the apartment, and my fridge is full of fresh produce and other healthy foods for the week. I might even go so far as to pack lunches for the week and/or make and freeze some dinners for those busy nights. I've still yet to figure out parking, because the rental office decides that it's a good idea to be closed every time I show up, but hopefully I'll be able to graduate from the "visitor" parking spot to a REAL parking spot this week. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?!
I have a new-found respect for all teachers out there, ESPECIALLY music teachers. Holler to all my past ones. There is so much behind-the-scenes work (more than even I thought!); so many phone calls home and class website updates (check it out here!), paperwork and emails. On top of the usual classroom duties, I'm starting to organize extra-curricular ensembles, instrument rental nights, and an ensemble or 2 for me to get some of my OWN musical growth in there somewhere. How do they find time to do it all? Being at 3 schools isn't making things easy, either. I'll get a call at one school about a student at another school who I don't teach for 4 days, and I have to make a note and remember to follow up when I see that student in class. Needless to say, I'm becoming organized by necessity, not because I want to be.
Not only that, but I'm getting sick! At first I thought it was just the signs of losing my voice because I have been talking a lot more than usual, and perhaps raising my voice more than I'm used to...but this weekend I've really tried to preserve the voice and it's still pretty sore. I've been popping the vitamin C and echinacea like candy, but can't notice any improvement yet. It's probably a combination of getting back into the swing of waking up at 6:30, working late nights, stress, and, of course, being surrounded by 200+ young students and a sick roommate. Maybe I'll become one of those crazy hand sanitizer ladies who are hyper-afraid of getting sick and use hand sanitizer after borrowing a pen or opening a door. I suppose bringing a water bottle to class might help with the throat. Only problem then is finding time for a bathroom break, since classes are so tightly packed together and it's not like high school where you can leave the class unattended for 3 minutes if necessary. On the bright side, I don't really FEEL that tired or stressed. It's all still very exciting and I still look forward to going back every morning, so all is well.
I've been wearing my power suits and/or blazers every day and bought a new pair of shoes this weekend that will make me a little taller. Anything I can do to separate myself from the grade 9's who tower over me. The first few days I was doing orientation at the schools before classes started, about 5 people asked me if I was a student. FIVE. I've learned to hold my keys high, and walk with a purpose.
In terms of classes, so far, so good, though. Classroom management is getting easier already now that I'm being more firm with them. I made my grade 6's sit in absolute silence for a full minute last class. It took them about 5 or 6 minutes to get it right, but I think I got my point across. Still need to work on the whole memory thing, though. I may or may not have a sent a student to cool off in the hallway and forgot about him for about 25 minutes. Whoops. It was, er, on purpose...
This weekend I went to the mall and grocery store to do some running around and for the first time had that feeling of "oh, crap, what if I see one of my students?" Not "oh crap" as in "I hope I don't!" but "oh crap" as in "I'm wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt. Is that allowed? I think so, I mean, I'm out in public, and I'm a normal person doing normal person things, right?" and also, thinking "if I DO run into a student and they remember my name, I have approximately a 1 in 20 chance of knowing their name. Embarrassing, I know. The name thing will come in time.
Anyway, must get back to planning. So much ink! So many dividers! So much paper!! Need another brain to help...wanna come visit me?
Until next time,
B.
P.S. Got my Alberta Driver's License! AND got to actually use it as ID for the first time yesterday - Libby took me to a bar with some friends in the evening for a little break from work :)
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