I am officially a teacher in Fort Worth ISD with a signed contract and six classes full (well, not really) of some really bright, intelligent students and a couple that will either get with the program or leave the Pre-AP program. I teach 7th grade Pre-AP social studies at William James Middle School in Fort Worth. The school is one of the oldest education buildings in Fort Worth, built in 1927, and is home to 1,300 students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. It is crowded, but manageable. WJMS also began the A/B block schedule this year. Students have four 90-minute classes each day, plus lunch. Teachers (that would be my category!) have three 90-minute classes per day, plus a planning period.
I survived my first week of school......a major accomplishment!!!!!! My first week of school can be summed up in a single word: CHAOS. There's been a lot of it.
Curveball #1: Schedules
The district implemented a new Student Information System to consolidate attendance/rosters, gradebook, curriculum frameworks, educator resources, schedules, and stuff I do not even know about into one program. This program had a big problem, or "bug" in it from the beginning. During my first six days, I had different students at different periods every single day. The students got new class assignments daily - even multiple times a day - because of conflicting scheduling issues with the computer program. The very first class I was introduced to had three students, the next had 49 in a room with 28 desks.......yeah, do the math. Luckily, by the end of the week most of my classes had leveled out, with the exception of one class that currently has 4 students. Supposedly, when we return from the Labor Day weekend on Tuesday, classes will be leveled. I'm curious to see what happens next week.
Curveball #2: I am a "floating" teacher.
I do not have a classroom. Instead, I "float" around the school building to different classrooms each period and either push a cart of books or have students carry the books downstairs for my next class. This situation is not really chaotic, it just sucks. There's no better term. It royally sucks. I have a laptop (that I received on my fourth day), but some teachers will not allow me to use their Promethian Board (interactive white board....I will not try to explain except to say that they are really cool if you know how to use them extensively and I know very little), for displaying class notes, charts, pictures, maps, etc. used in Texas history and geography. Go. Figure. Not only is it frustrating logistically, but I'm trying desperately to get organized and there is no way to do what when living out of a giant Land's End bag and pushing around a cart. Seriously. I have an accordion file labeled for each class period that I will use for homework and other assignments that I collect from students. Of course, this first week, I think I taught the same lesson 100 times - AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Curveball #3: no air-conditioning on Day 3
I will just say that this problem was finally resolved and I was praising the A/C gods. When I sweat, I do not glisten. I am Sweaty Betty. There are no other words to describe a fat girl in dress pants, pushing around a cart full of textbooks, and climbing three flights of stairs with a giant LE bag. On this particular day, I can honestly say I was questioning my decision of becoming a teacher. I was also thinking about that kindergarten position I turned down. I bet those little bundles of boogers were nice and cool in their classroom!!!!!!!
Curveball #4: why is my last name so hard to spell?
Hutchison. H-u-t-c-h-i-s-o-n. That's it. Hutch like a piece of furniture; the letter "i", and son like boy child. It's not hard. I must have a million profiles with FWISD because my name is spelled differently on every piece of paper and file I have seen. It is correctly spelled on my contract and employee files; but incorrect on my paycheck (fortunately the account number is correct so I still get paid!), student schedules, and my school email address. I spent three months trying to change my name after Kevin and I got married.....maybe I should have stayed Nicole Edwards.
Curveball #5: paper
Each team and/or department is supposed to have a supply of paper accessible to teachers for the copy machine. Well, the paper supplier does not have paper. Therefore, teachers do not have paper. Only a handful of teachers have paper leftover from last year that they are using. The rest of us are S-O-L. I found two packages of paper in the closet with items from my college apartment to print my syllabus and a couple of worksheets for class activities. I guess it will all even out in the wash because I do not have a classroom to decorate.
I think I am going to enjoy the curriculum. Seventh grade social studies is specifically Texas history, and we all know that I could use a little more of that. I do wonder: why is it that Texas gets a year dedicated to its history? In fact, students get Texas history in 4th, 7th, and 11th grades. What the heck?!?! I'm not even going to argue this, I'm just going with the flow. Nodding and smiling. Just nod and smile. Nod. And. Smile.
WJMS is a magnet school with special programs in engineering and robotics, fine arts, languages, and college-prep. It is going to be a challenge for me to keep them challenged, but I'm excited to see what happens. There are so many things - lessons, projects, and activities - that can be done with Texas history. It reminds me of marketing and public relations, you can go in so many directions. We've talked this week about the five themes of geography (location, place, movement, interaction, and region) and the four regions of Texas. Next week, students will be responsible for designing a billboard or postcard promoting tourism in a specific region of Texas. Nothing like a little P.R. and promotion for these 7th graders. Look Mom and Dad, I'm using my college degree!!!!!! hahahahaha
I have a really good team of teachers in the social studies department that are very supportive and kind to the "new kid on the block." I also have a mentor teacher who makes me laugh and she's definitely my biggest fan. She's gone to bat for me more times than I can count this week, I'm grateful for Ms. Jones! Her spiky hair matches her awesome and hilarious personality.
This is going to be a fun year. I have already scared some students into submission and a few others that I would like to beat but I will refrain in order to keep my job. One called me the "handwriting nazi" and I took that as a compliment because my point got across. Have you seen the chicken scratch these people call handwriting these days? Good gracious!!! I will probably have my first parent conversation next week too. Ahhh, I love how I can stand at the front of a room and stare at these 12 year olds with my "evil look" and they stop talking. I don't have to say word - it's great!!!! HEHE
OK, so that is my first week of school and I survived to tell about it. I had so much fun I'm going back Tuesday morning. Please pray for me. :)
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