What I've Learned This Semester

Today I celebrate my 27th birthday and the last day of school for 2010...it has been adventurous, enlightening, and - at times - very annoying and frustrating. But, nonetheless, I survived the first half of my first year as a teacher and I've learned a few things along the way:

1. Being a floating teacher stinks. On the bright side, I don't have a room to decorate.
2. While there are always a couple of poop-heads in the mix, overall I have some really good students (but I will probably always call them "creatures").
3. It's OK if I have scribble marks and White-Out in my grade book.
4. Not every student will pass my class.
5. There are lots of ways to spend my free time...grading papers is not one of them.
6. I am the adult in every teacher-student conversation.
7. Being cool - according to 7th graders - is not in my job description.
8. Every day is a new beginning. I greet students with a smile and hope for a good day.
9. I can laugh at myself, even if no one else thinks I'm funny. 
10. Patience is a virtue.
11. I'm not all that impressed with Texas history, I still prefer U.S. history and would like to teach 8th grade someday.
12. I am not perfect.
13. Passing out in front of 7th graders was a good thing. They remind me constantly to eat and take care of myself. Plus, it proved I am human.
14. Teaching at any level is great birth control, but middle school is a league of its own.
15. My expectations of students are too high in some areas, and too low in others.
16. The expectations I have for myself are too high in some areas, and too low in others.
17. Organization is crucial.
18. I need to improve my documentation and organization system.

Whew, what a time this has been. I have enjoyed the past 4 months, but I'm going to fully enjoy my Christmas break with family and friends and return to school in 2011 rejuvenated and ready to have another successful semester.

God bless.