There are moments when I feel like a first year teacher. Nervous butterflies, wondering what the year will bring, learning new names and using my creative energy to figure out how I want to set up my classroom for the school year.
Then there are moments, when I also realize that I have been doing this for quite awhile. Going over classroom procedures and expectations, making seating charts (after having the same students for several years in a row, I definitely know who can sit next to whom), sitting in the never ending first day inservice meetings and just overall having the confidence of knowing what projects I will be starting with for the school year.
I have lots of plans for the school year, one of the main ones is reconnecting with my students. Last year I really got wrapped up in the whirlwind of having 565 students. So much grading! Two different schedules (6 day rotation in the elementary - 4 day rotation in the middle school)! I felt like I was on never ending amusement park ride. I have decided not to grade every assignment this year. I have been working with administrators to help ease my crazy schedule. I am going to try to go with the flow more and not get hung up on deadlines and due dates for projects, especially at the elementary level. I want to talk to my students more. I want to know more about their lives and what is happening at home. I want to sit and make art with my students. This is the school year where I take a deep breath and refocus on why I wanted to become an art teacher in the first place.
Wishing you all an incredible school year!
Love,
Mrs. Cornell
P.S. I am going to try and be better at blogging this year as well. My goal is bi-weekly updates. :)
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