October 6, 2103
The other day I saw a student with her father at a store. I introduced myself by saying, “Hi. I’m your daughter’s math teacher.” A few minutes later it occurred to me that I’ve never said those words before. Besides teaching 6th grade math there are actually a lot of new things in my life this school year. Because of circumstances I tend to explore in this entry, I’m finding myself being pushed and pulled and challenged in ways I haven’t experienced in a very long time. Thankfully, I’m still applying the “Live like a Kindergarten” philosophy into my career, which means the experience has been equally as thrilling as it has been exhausting.
This is my 6th year teaching 5th/6th grade, but it’s my first time teaching the entire curriculum. There is another teacher at my level, but for various reasons we mostly keep our same students all day rather than share them. During my cynical moments I feel like I must have one of the hardest teaching assignments. After all I’m expected to be like a middle school teacher as far as teaching pre-algebra and advanced reading & writing, as well as keeping up with grades and so much paperwork. But most middle school teachers only teach one or two subjects and have a prep period. I am currently teaching 7 subjects for two grades and have never, ever experienced paid prep time.
When I’m not throwing a pity-party, however, I realize that in some ways my job this year is better than ever before. Not having to “switch classes” gives me more flexibility in how long a subject goes and allows for much smoother transitions throughout the curriculum. We can read and write for history, for example, while never leaving language class. The prep for all these subjects is depressingly time-consuming, but getting to have 34 students that are just mine is a really neat feeling too.
One thing I did not anticipate about having a self-contained classroom is that I would, in subtle ways, be competing against the other 5th/6th class. During dismissal in the first week of school I heard one parent say to another, “my daughter is in 5th grade this year and she has the best teacher.” I looked at the parents and had to realize that they weren’t talking about me, they were talking about the other 5th grade teacher. At that moment I came to this truth: I have to be on my game at all times this year.
I know it sounds immature, but the truth is I hate the idea of any of my students wishing they were in the other class. Underneath my “everyone is treated fairly” teacher mask, is still the drop ball pitcher who at age ten tried to convince the league to hang up a sign reading, “Welcome to Ramona softball fields, home of Laura the Best.” I don’t want to be the other teacher, I want to be the best teacher. It’s competitive and silly and totally un-Montessori, but it’s also totally true. I'm even fine with both sets of students and parents thinking their teacher is best, as long as I'm up there with them.
The result of admitting my own insecurities to myself is that this year I have made myself the best teacher I’ve ever been before. Teaching all these subjects and focusing on being the best has made me more versatile than I’ve ever needed to be previously. 6 weeks into the school year I’ve already scrubbed test tubes, memorized songs about integers, used food in 5 different lessons, prepared anti-bullying lessons, started three fundraisers, created a huge capture the flag competition, and even eaten crickets.
In fairness to my students our new motto of “every day is something new and interesting in Mrs. Worthen’s room” has as much to do with them as it does with me. This year I have an excellent group of students. They work hard, say nice things, laugh at my jokes, compliment my earrings, and in general encourage me to create the kind of class teachers dream about teaching. I love learning with them. Here’s to a great year!
No comments:
Post a Comment