Making the most of the unknown

With just about two weeks until the start of the school year, there are still so many (very large) unknowns about the upcoming fall. I think I've gotten through all of the Kubler Ross stages and the past two days have found myself in full "alright, its time to rock" acceptance phase.

With still so much up in the air (including not having full access to my social studies curriculum, yikes), instead of building out lessons these past few weeks, I have been devouring teacher created content for teachers. Sometimes the internet can be a burning pit of hell slag, but I have to say, I am so thankful for teacher YouTube channels and Facebook groups. Coupled with $10 books on Kindle, I have went from an anxious ball of "what the hell am I supposed to be doing right now," to feeling like I just spent a few days observing a handful of skillful veteran teachers.

By some dumb luck, or probably geo-tracking my internet, I stumbled upon the YouTube channel of C. J. Reynolds. How did I get a master's degree, student teach, and work in the same city of this fellow and only just bump into him now? Anyway, I highly recommend to anyone studying to be a teacher, first year teachers, fifteen year teachers...

please watch his videos on the first few days of school and read his book Teach your class off. As someone who sincerely hopes to be a mentor and model for my students, his experiences and methods are truly inspiring. While I am an introvert by nature, I feel that I can adapt his methods to my own classroom, and start figuring out how to build my own classroom culture from the start. In fact, I think I'm going to reread his book and watch his "new teacher" play list again as I start planning my first week of school routines. This dude has me super stoked and you really must check him out.

Another YouTube channel that I want to shout out is the New EdTech Classroom. With how to videos on numerous tech tools, this low key guy has been a key factor in helping me decide which tech I want to use this year. My classroom must be arranged in rows to accommodate social distancing requirements which has me quite concerned about the students in the back quarter, as my room is very long and my tv monitor thingger (so technical) is at the front of the room. I was really stressed about how I was going to have all students be able to see and hear in such a setting. Couple that with student engagement and I was just playing nightmare scenarios in my head. Thankfully, after a few days of bewilderment and the help of New EdTech Classroom, I settled on using Pear Deck for Google Slides as my presentation solution. (Nearpod was a very close 2nd but I liked how Pear Deck integrated into the presentations a bit better for now.)

Since we are doing paperless classrooms, I also chose to build out interactive notebooks for both my ELA and SS classes. This will allow me to create some pretty fun "hyperdoc" lessons for my students as well, which I am very exited about. Now I have to say, this would not be possible at all teaching in person without being in a 1 to 1 school. I am so thankful to be privileged to teach in a district that facilitates 21st century learning and teaching. It allows me to grow into being a 21st century teacher and help my students drive their own learning. This should not be a privilege but unfortunately it is, so I acknowledge that very humbly.

I am trying to strike a balance between acknowledging I am a first year teacher entering a Fall unlike any other and my own personal expectations for myself. This topic will come up again and again no doubt as I reflect upon the lessons and weeks that pass, however I am so thankful for the numerous resources available by generous educators to help me figure out this journey.

As if you hadn't noticed, I am going to try to keep this blog pretty informal. I feel that by doing so it will allow me to be more real about my experiences and reflections, while also keeping it feeling less like "work" and more like just something that I'm doing for myself and others. I guess I'm viewing this more like a public journal than a branded blog (just like my old LiveJournal days!). In any case, moving forward, I hope whatever ends up on here helps you out, gives you insight, or just offers a bit of commiseration.

peace, love, coffee.