Lucky or Qualified?

I'm a teacher now. And I can't believe it. I've been working in my classroom since last Thursday (the 11th). And I still can't believe it. After talking to a couple of my new colleagues, I realized that I may be the only first year teacher in the Renton school district. Apparently, Renton's typical "policy" (I use quotes because this may be less of a policy and more of a loose guideline) is to only hire teachers with two years of teaching experience. I obviously do not have two years of teaching experience. What I do have is 3 years of volunteer experience and a "belly full of fire" as my new principal just told me. My heart is in the right place. And I really care about my students.

I apparently really impressed those that interviewed me. As in, they talked about it afterwards "eight times". I did a closing speech at the end of my interview. It gave one of my colleagues chills. So, maybe that was enough. And here I am. More lucky than I originally imagined. And hopefully just as qualified. There will be a lot of eyes on me and a lot to prove. That a first year teacher can swim with the big fish and not drag anyone else down. And that's what I'm going to do...my best.

I have a lot of work to do and a lot of items to purchase. And sometimes, as I look at my big, empty classroom, I feel a little empty as well, in the sense that I don't have enough to fill it. Which I don't. Yet.

Bulletin boards really make a difference, though. They fill the space and make everything look much more festive. My first bulletin board was a disaster though. I mis-measured.

But, classroom arrangement and decor are only two of the many things I must do to have my classroom ready for the 31st.

I have training for the next week-and-a-half. Reading, Math, and PBIS. These will be wonderfully helpful.

Time to begin working on my first day of school plan. Thank you, Harry Wong, for being so wise and helpful.