It's been quite a while. I need, will, and am getting back to this. If for nothing else, I need to promise myself that I will continue taking the time to reflect on what's going on. I can't and won't let myself be too busy for that.
School in general has been wonderful. In terms of my own classroom, I'm so excited to see the routines taking hold. It makes life so much easier and class time more engaging. I'm surprised at how much I've been comfortable with lesson planning. I was worried I'd run out of things for some reason, but I can really take my time and watch things grow and develop. It's so wonderful.
We've been doing Friday morning sing-alongs with the first grade classes and it's been awesome! It makes Friday so much fun and this week we'll be expanding it to the second grade as well.
School-wide, I love getting to do the data work, sunshine club stuff, and the SLT. I really enjoy having a role in what's going on and taking ownership of our school community.
The staff is wonderful. I'm so lucky to have such thoughtful, caring, and brilliant colleagues.
In terms of TC...I'm realizing more and more how much I want to do in policy. I'd love to see if I can do summer work for the National Endowment for the Arts or the state ESPECIALLY with this new teacher preparation and "Race to the Top" proposal being pushed in New York State. I watched an AWESOME lecture/debate on it Monday and it was so interesting (and frustrating) to see where state education leaders are in terms of their educational philosophies (or lack their of).
It's late, and I'm tired, but I wanted to post this, for myself, and for whoever reads it. I'm here. I'll be here more.
