I was so excited to end my first year as a teacher - I made it! I was full of fresh ideas and inspiration for my 2012-2013 first grade class. I spent my first few days of vacation lounging by a pool and collecting ideas and materials for my next batch of first graders... and thennnnnn...
My principal called me and told me that I was going to become the new Kindergarten teacher at my school for the 2012-2013 school year! Hence the name change on the blog (formerly: Charm City First Grade) and the onset of new fears! I have struggled the past year to determine what was appropriate for first grade students, learn the curriculum content, find effective instructional techniques that worked for my students, and gather ideas for assessment and data tracking. Now I feel like I will be starting as a first year teacher ALL OVER AGAIN! My first thought was "Nooooooo!"
There are a few positives though that have me excited to take on the challenge of teaching a different grade level. First, (the reason that my principal wanted to move me in the first place) I will be rounding out the Kindergarten team of 2 teachers and the other teacher is one of my teacher friends and inspirations, Ms. Zelman! After spending the last year as part of a first grade "team" in which the other team member was not always available or willing to collaborate, I am very excited to work with Ms. Zelman. She and I are what I would call kindred teaching spirits! We have the same beliefs about what our students are capable of and energy and enthusiasm for what we are doing. Second, it's exciting (and also sobering at the same time) to think that I might be responsible for a child's very first school experience!
So - so long for now! More thoughts about becoming a Kindergarten teacher later!
