Back to School - Year 7

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 Year 7! I cannot believe that time has passed so quickly. This year I am teaching a new subject (elementary resource room) at a new district. Last year was really challenging and I just needed a change. This year I am hopeful. Hopeful to fall back in love with teaching and hopeful to regain my own sense of self. 

Here are some photos of my new classroom. I share this space with a wonderful PT and OT. 



Update 3 weeks in...

I just finished the first full week week of the school year- so tired but overall feeling happier/more at peace with teaching. I'm exhausted but I think this is just because of transitioning to being back at school. 

Highlights

  • I realize that last year I really missed having more conversations with kids and building relationships. (Last year I taught young students who were still learning how to use AAC and this made communication more challenging). I love laughing and talking more to my students. 
  • I am using A TON of skills that I gained from working in a self contained setting!! Visuals and schedules really do work for every kid.
  • I am honing my skills and increasing my knowledge.
  • I am working with grades/ages of kids I never worked with before- I have the cutest TK/preschool students!
Challenges
  • I miss my friends and community I built in my former school district. I have dinners and text my friends all the time, but I miss my people. 
  • SPED can be lonely- I miss having a grade level team. 
  • I have a kid who elopes- I am really getting my steps in LOL. 
  • I miss gen.edu. / classroom community- I think I'll go back to gen.edu after this. 
  • This district has a lot of meetings and ends later than I'm used to. 
Overall all though I feel like teaching is what I'm meant to do and happier. I hope that this keeps up. I'm more optimistic. 


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