Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Maybe They're Growing Up...

Or maybe their teachers from last year exaggerated a bit to induce a sheer state of panic among teachers on C hall. Either way, I'm pretty proud to be teaching this year's 8th-graders at my school. In fact, after hearing all of the horror stories about what was headed our way, I'm really happy. They're really not so bad. In fact, I like them. A lot.

What makes things a little more difficult is the fact that we are short one teacher on our hall this year. Instead of dividing our students among seven teachers (or even eight as it was my first four years of teaching), we are dividing them among six teachers. I'm on the four-person team, which means I have ninety-nine students this year. Yes, that's ninety-nine. Or one hundred if I have one more student enroll. Let's keep our fingers crossed about that....

In the meantime, I'm still getting to know the ones I do have, and they're still getting to know me and what I will and won't put up with. Which isn't very much since I have a lot of teaching to do this year.

And I think they've just about figured that out. Maybe.

10 comments:

McMGrad89 said...

You know that each previous year teacher has the moral obligation to frighten the bejezzus out of the next year teacher just so you feel so much better when you actually get them.

What does it mean that no one has told me anything about my upcoming kiddos? :-)

I get to meet them on Thursday and teach them on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

This year will be different for us as well for many reasons, none of which is cutbacks. I wish you peace. (haha...I just wrote "peacH" Well, I wish you that, too.

Roban said...

I never thought of it that way, but it does make sense! I hope your changes are all worthwhile and helpful....

And thanks for the wishes of peace and peacHes. We just bought a few the other day, and they were so good. Peaches, that is!

Candace said...

Wow, that is a lot of kids to teach! I'm glad they are a good group; that makes it so much easier on you since there is so many of them. I hate all the cutbacks in education; that is one place they should NOT be! I hope the rest of your year is wonderful!

Relyn Lawson said...

Happy back to school!! I am so glad you are enjoying your students. It makes life so much better when you can. We are short a teacher in our grade, too. Still, we are a team of friend and that really helps. May your year be full of blessings, my friend.

Relyn Lawson said...

I was just stopping by to check on how your year is going. Great, I hope.

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

I am so glad you like your new students! It's so important, and you know they feel it right back from you too.

miruspeg said...

Roban hope all is going well with your 99 students!!
I think about you often and always send love and light your way.

Also hope you are having a wonderful birthday month!
Hugs
Peggy xxxxx

Silver said...

I'll come by again.. tomorrow. lol;)

charrette said...

Over crowding classrooms does such a disservice to both the teachers and the students. I only have 40 students, spread between two classes, but I honestly notice how much time I don't have to spend individually with them if I have just one or two extras in my class.

The upshot, of course, is that if they're a good group--if you like them and they like you--it makes a big difference. I have a good crop this semester too, for which I'm grateful.

charrette said...

p.s. Did you get your copy of the book I sent you?