As of a week ago I am officially old. I started my new teacher orientation this past Monday and I am getting ready to start teaching Geometry at Windsor Forest High School in Savannah, GA. This is the career path I have chosen, and I know it is what I want to do. I can only hope my first year goes well.
I have done a number of things related to the job.
1. I stopped by and saw my room for the first time. Here are some pics after the jump (online blogging terminology practice is today)
This week was a lot of meetings about board policy, ethics, and so on and so forth. Next week is Teacher Planning week. The following week I actually get the kids and have my first lesson. I am looking forward to bringing technology into the classroom and am extremely fortunate to have all the resources I need either in my possession or at my fingertips in the school media center.
So how did my first week go? Windsor Forest High School has an excellent mentor program set up. I have been assigned to a one of these wonderful Math teachers (whos name I will leave out for purposes of privacy). The entire math department, staff, and administration are full of energy and are very excited about having me and the other teachers along for this year.
As a new teacher I have been assigned as a "Squire". My mentor is my "Knight". This is funny because we are the Windsor Forest Knights. They call the school itself "The Castle", which at first hearing is terrifying but upon arrival is found out to be a fun term that is tossed around casually. Everyone as been positive and that really helps. I have little to none classroom experience, which puts me one step behind most of the crowd. I did find out that one of my new colleagues is in the same boat though. I have already made friends with some of the new staff and have spent some time outside of working hanging out with them. Meeting teachers my age in similar situations makes me not feel as nervouse about the whole situation.
So now I go forth to mold the minds of tomorrow. I can only hope that my goal to help the kids can be executed how I like and want. Wish me luck.
