With a day's notice and after 7 years of working with high school students, I start anew in an elementary school.
First days at new jobs are stressful. I don't find the staff parking lot. I hunt for my classroom. I run across the principal, not knowing whom I've just met until she introduces herself.
Remembering the students' names seems of utmost importance. I've already called Kevin Ryan several times. The little ones are shocked, "I'm not Ryan!" as if I must be from the moon, someone who knows nothing at all. They are naive and not happy about discovering that the adults are not all knowing. I think their denial is protective. "She knows I'm not Ryan! So why would she say Ryan?" The outrage.
I'm replacing a 10-year veteran teacher's aide. The other aide has been here for 20 years. The teacher herself is replacing a 28-year veteran teacher. I'm glad to have this partner in new-ness. She's so open to my ideas. Good supervisors are patient and willing to allow creativity. Good teacher's aides are patient and open to direction.
Can I say how older students are different from younger students? Young ones are less jaded and more excited as each minute brings new experiences. Teens are more independent and more defiant than the young ones. Teenagers are under pressure to bring the school's test scores up. Young students are under pressure to sit still and get along. Both are growing up so fast; intellectually and physically and academically. Both ages are amazing and wonderful to watch.
A shift will take place. Time will pass and I will find my parking place. I will learn the daily schedule and I will begin to understand the curriculum. I will know all the names. Patience will be my best friend. Patience for my own rate of learning and theirs too. One day at a time, one minute at a time, and one name at a time.
First days at new jobs are stressful. I don't find the staff parking lot. I hunt for my classroom. I run across the principal, not knowing whom I've just met until she introduces herself.
Remembering the students' names seems of utmost importance. I've already called Kevin Ryan several times. The little ones are shocked, "I'm not Ryan!" as if I must be from the moon, someone who knows nothing at all. They are naive and not happy about discovering that the adults are not all knowing. I think their denial is protective. "She knows I'm not Ryan! So why would she say Ryan?" The outrage.
I'm replacing a 10-year veteran teacher's aide. The other aide has been here for 20 years. The teacher herself is replacing a 28-year veteran teacher. I'm glad to have this partner in new-ness. She's so open to my ideas. Good supervisors are patient and willing to allow creativity. Good teacher's aides are patient and open to direction.
Can I say how older students are different from younger students? Young ones are less jaded and more excited as each minute brings new experiences. Teens are more independent and more defiant than the young ones. Teenagers are under pressure to bring the school's test scores up. Young students are under pressure to sit still and get along. Both are growing up so fast; intellectually and physically and academically. Both ages are amazing and wonderful to watch.
A shift will take place. Time will pass and I will find my parking place. I will learn the daily schedule and I will begin to understand the curriculum. I will know all the names. Patience will be my best friend. Patience for my own rate of learning and theirs too. One day at a time, one minute at a time, and one name at a time.
No comments:
Post a Comment