We Don't Need No Education......

I go back to school on Friday. I'm not sure what they were thinking, having staff come back on a Friday. It's such a terrible idea. But those of us who have to depend on the paycheck really shouldn't complain. I'm having some mixed emotions about going back. This will be the first time I will actually return for a second year. I'm very excited that they wanted me back. I'm also excited about the new ideas and activities I want to incorporate into the Lab. I'm also excited about teaching 2 regular English classes this year. Which leads me to some of my apprehensive feelings. This will be the first time I've taught a regular English class in 3 years. I feel a little behind on my content. I also thought I was going to be teaching 9th and 11th grade, but just found out(late last week) that, due to a schedule change over the summer, I'm going to be teaching 9th and 10th grade. I also have to complete my state certification portfolio. I will be spending vast amounts of time preparing lessons, writing "self-evaluations" and evaluating student work, in order to turn it in to a review committee that will decide, based on what has been written, if I am a good teacher. I am also nervous about my students. I know the 10th grade, but my class assignments mean that I will have the same students ALL THE TIME!!! Having the 11th grade class would have meant that I wouldn't have any of those students in lab as well. Teaching 9th and 10th means that I will have the same kids in Lab and class. I'm also a little concerned about my 10th graders and their ability to retain the routines and strategies we spent last year building. In the end, the only way to get past it all is to go back and dive right into the swing of things. I will be heading in on Tuesday. Monday is my Mom's last day off and we'll be hitting the beach. So Tuesday, I will head on in to school to start setting up furniture and filing paperwork and planning lessons, etc.