BT Week 4
I am posting this blog post a day late because we had to completely restructure our lesson plans for the rest of the summer in the 8th grade science department. We are given a baseline curriculum for the lesson plans but many of them were out of order, incomplete, outdated, or plain confusing. My co-teachers and I are working tirelessly on restructuring the chemistry class and helping the students prepare for 8th grade science. My IC or instructional coach is my lifeline in the program. He is there to give me feedback and constructive criticism of my teaching and my lesson plans each week. The family I am in has 4 teachers and 21 students. The dynamic of the entire group can be a bit catty at times since the staff is 52 and we work closely for many hours everyday. The director, Mira, serves as the peacekeeper and the conductor of the entire program. When chaos ensues, Mira always comes to the rescue with a game plan and many solutions on the table. For instance the power went out a bit one day and she found a way to help us keep teaching without technology and internet, the kids did not lose an entire day of instruction, and the teachers were happy to get their lessons taught as well. I am very close with 2 of my co-teachers who teach Literature and Math. We text at night to discuss student dynamics and potential issues within our “family”. Communication has constantly been open between myself and these teachers, which makes our jobs so much easier. I have learned just how important communication is in the workplace. It is better to over communicate than to under communicate.
I am also beginning to form real and raw relationships with my students. One student in particular who acted out a lot in the beginning has really opened up to me. He has even shared his fears of not being able to achieve his goals ( being a chemist) due to his parents legal standing. I have never felt more connected or confronted with a current political issue as i do now. I love the kids I work with and I know these conversations and memories will shape me and my future endeavors.
I am constantly falling asleep at 9 pm while grading papers, chugging coffee, and trying to relate to cranky 13 year olds. But it is somehow also so joyful and rewarding. We laugh, we get frustrated, we have cried, and we have smiled so much in just 4 weeks! I am so glad to be in this unique program and to experience the triumps and trials of teaching.
I am so happy to hear that despite the challenges, you are cherishing the experience. It sounds as though your ‘family’ manages challenges, despite the extended hours that you spend with one another, and that you’ve developed effective ways to communicate with one another about your students, your plans and strategies, etc. It seems you have some great role models and ‘coaches’ who are helping you develop your teaching skills, facilitating peace among the ‘family,’ etc. As you continue (and even after you finish) it would be good to consider whether the leadership you experience at your site is impacted by the nature of the work/the industry, a result of the individuals who hold leadership positions, etc.