High School

My room needs more flair.

It's a lot smaller than my old room and someone etched a small penis into the dividing wall behind me before I inherited it, but it's now home. I sent Carrie a couple of snapshots and she immediately located some snazzy posters. Most of my old stuff is science related or old student science projects. I'll have to put my new kids to work to fill up the new space!

So far, high school is very similar and very different from middle school. I used to be at a school where I knew of almost everyone, knew my curriculum backward and forward, and had a stockpile of resources. I could walk into my room, gauge the students, call an audible, throw away whatever was prepped and have an alternate gameplan ready in minutes. Now, I'm working with a similar, but new curriculum in a larger school with some students who look older than I am (and certainly more fit). Many of them are academically right where I left off. Some of those are legal adults.

Like I said, different and the same. I find it interesting. I like learning new things and I like new challenges (most of the time!). I did not realize how used I was to middle school. It will take me more time to get to what I call 'efficient' in my new position. The blocked classes are double the length I'm used to, and I see most of my classes every other day instead of daily. I'm sticking with more basic lesson plans through the review and until I have a better sense of timing and the 'kids.'

I've also realized I was spoiled at my old school. I had a bigger, nicer room and the desks and chairs (while not perfect) were a lot newer. I had a printer in my room, too. My new high school is a very good one, but it's double the age of my old middle. Printers and copiers are a further walk and instead of having an interdisciplinary team to cooperate with I work solely with the math department. They have their own staff room up on the third floor. I will be meeting with the special ed department after school once a month, but it's more scattered and independent. If I don't seek someone out to check on a kid I won't be bumping into anyone who's not math or close to my room. I suppose I could yell back and forth with the teacher I share a wall with. He's fun, and the sound carries. I plan on color commentating one of these days if an opportunity presents itself!

The school itself is a large one. There are over 2600 students enrolled. They are spread across three floors and three different outdoor trailer areas (of which I have a class every day in). The hallways are designed non-symmetrically and my classroom is near a central student hub. I forgot what it was like to maneuver in a press! My middle school was big with 1400 kids, but the traffic was shorter and flowed better.

I feel like I've transitioned well. There is still plenty of room to learn and grow. If things go well this year, I'm strongly considering trying for my National Board Certification next. Gotta keep moving forward somehow!