I survived! My first day as a paid school employee with children. Although I'm just a general para, today confirmed that I had made the right decision, education really is for me! I have been working since last Thursday. Most of the time I have been cutting out laminate and trying to find teachers to help in their classrooms, but I still feel lost and definitely feel like "the new kid" at everything. Lincoln Public Schools is completely different than any school district that I have been familiar with. There are 37 elementary schools in the district! I expected when I got hired that my first day to work would be filled with meetings and introductions and I would find out exactly what I would be doing for the school year, but I was waaaaay wrong. I was told to report to the office to meet with the assistant principal, where I waited for her for nearly 15 minutes only to get shown where to put my stuff and be handed a stack of laminate to cut out. After that I was on my own. Eventually I sorta figured out who was a para and who was a teacher, where things are, and how to ask lots and lots and lots of questions. Friday and Monday were pretty much the same and I left Monday afternoon still having no idea what to do Tuesday morning when students were coming to school!! Needless to say, its crazy and I just wander around lost.
Today I just plopped myself in a kindergarten classroom to help out a teacher who has quite the interesting bunch. There I met little V, who is a non English speaker from Russia who was scared and crying. Although I had no idea what to do with him, my heart broke for him. How scary to be in a new surrounding not being able to understand what anyone is saying. I automatically was drawn to him and tried my best to help him cope and adjust to this new world called Kindergarten. I spent all morning with him until it was time for my lunch duties (That was the one thing I at least new to do for today!). After lunch I decided to go back and check on little V and to my surprise, he was all smiles and dry eyes! The rest of the afternoon I hung out with the same class. Oh my, they are a bunch! When little V left, he looked at me and gave me the BIGGEST smile! What a feeling!! This is why I want to be a teacher!
Although, I've graduated and have my degree I still feel like a college student myself. I was just there watching all day; I'm ready to TEACH. I'm tired of watching and following the lead, I'm ready to be on my own and have my own classroom. I know I need to be thankful for just having a job in a school district that is difficult to get into in the first place, but I'm sooo ready. I think I would even be willing to be in a regular classroom (gasp) if it meant I got to be a teacher. Maybe once I actually have a schedule and know what I am doing during the school day I won't feel so lost and useless and in the way. Hopefully in the morning I will have a schedule, but I've said that since Thursday morning. ;)
BUT, I have to mention how amazing Geoff is. He is my constant encourager and supports me always. Today I came home to a BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement and he cooked me dinner and cleaned up the kitchen afterwards! His butt rubb stanks and all rotten potatoes, aka butt rubb seasoned steaks and au gratin potatoes, were really yummy! He's wonderful.
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