Emotional Roller Coaster Ride

I am four weeks into my first year as an elementary school teacher. I did everything possible (even without knowing it) to prepare for this moment. My second block of student teaching was spent in a 2/3 combo class. My first long term sub assignment was in a 3/4 combo class. My second long term sub position was in a 4/5 combo class at the school that I signed my contract with. Everything I did prepared me to teach in a multi-age classroom at Aveson. My experience and my attitude together should have been enough to get me through this first year of teaching without having to deal with ANY of the first year teacher blues that I have heard SO much about ever since I decided to get into this profession. 

I was wrong. 

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for this year. I'm not complaining... just stating the obvious fact. This job is HARD! I spent so much time resenting the teachers that complained about their jobs in the lunch room while I was substitute teaching. I used to think they were so lucky for having a job, and I thought if I was ever given the honor to have my own that I would NEVER complain, because I would just be so happy to have a job in the first place. Now I have one, and don't get me wrong... I feel VERY lucky! However, I am starting to realize a bit where these other teachers are coming from. 

Some days I come home feeling like I was crazy for choosing this profession, and that I can't handle it... and other days I come home feeling extremely fulfilled because I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing; and yet still others I am just so tired that I don't even have time to think. Everyone keeps telling me that what I am feeling is "normal," but a big part of me knows that these types of up and down emotions shouldn't be normal. Luckily for me, I am currently feeling fulfilled :) Let's hope this keeps up! Week 5... BRING IT ON! 

Dr. Seuss Mural Complete!!!

For the past few weeks a friend and I (but mostly him) have been working on a Dr. Seuss mural in my classroom. At my school we have what we call the Guiding Principles. Pretty much our mantra and way of being. These principles guide our instruction, our interactions with each other and our students. When contemplating how I was going to post these in my room a thought came to my mind. This would be so much more earth friendly, and easier, if I could just paint them on the wall instead of making all these crazy posters. From there I contacted a good friend of mine Billy, and we got to talking about how we could make this a reality. The conclusion we came up with was to paint a Dr. Seuss theme, and embed the guiding principles in the scene. We have finished the scene, and the next step will be to add the guiding principles. Take a look at our journey! 

First we had to paint over the yellow. I chose a calm purple.

Yellow is almost gone, I feel calmer already!

No more yellow!

Beginning stages of The Lorax

Almost finished!

The Lorax COMPLETE!

Adding Truffula Trees.

Painting Truffula Trees and adding Horton.

Continuing to paint Truffula Trees.

Finishing Horton, and adding grass.

The finished product.

I added fun lamps and Dr. Seuss books to the equation.

I am SO happy with the way this turned out! The characters and the trees look GREAT!!! This adds so much character to my classroom, and I know the students will LOVE it! I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the help I did with this project. Not only did Billy pretty much paint this entire thing, but his wife Charlene helped. When we were finished painting Charlene helped me rearrange my classroom to fit my needs. We were really able to capture EXACTLY what I wanted out of my space, and I couldn't be happier! Billy and Charlene, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am in love with my classroom, and I owe it all to the both of you!!!