How its going

Well, now I've completed 4 days with the kids. So far, I LOVE first grade!!! Not that I didn't absolutely adore the Junior Kindergarteners from last year, in fact, nothing makes me happier than to see our little ones from last year. But, the first graders are awesome! They are much more grown up than the 4 year olds, but still really little babies. Unfortunately, I think the baby stage will go quickly, and soon, they will be full-fledged kids.

We have spent a lot of time getting the kids used to the school and our routines. But, we have done some language and math. It is incredible to see the differences in the levels! Some can write full sentences, some can write only a little, and some cannot write at all. (Mind you, there is everything in between as well.) Math is the same. A few of our kids came to our class from German kindergarten. It is amazing in Germany, the home of bajillions of engineers, kids don't learn their letters and numbers seriously until first grade! We are seriously dealing with all sorts of abilities. Of course, there are also the EAL (English as an Additional Language) kids. Many of the kids in our class are on some level English language learners, but we have a handful of absolute beginners, which makes things quite a challenge. The absolute beginner EAL students are very nice kids, eager to please, and seemingly as eager to learn. Which is wonderful.

We are 21 this week, and next week, should be up to 23. There is a delightfully challenging group of personalities, but we are quite positve that as time goes by, these personalities will no longer pose quite the same level of challenge.

As for me, I like my job. The teacher I work with is easy to get along with, and she seems to trust me that I will do my job well. I have two new assistants that I work much more closely with, sadly, they are not people who will ever end up on my list of friends. I dearly miss my friends in the Early Learning Center, and definately do not get nearly enough time to see them. Even though we hope to see each other after school, things will not be the same.

Well, here's to the rest of the year. I am waiting to hear about the teacher certification program, hopefully, I get accepted. I know this year will bring about lots of changes, both good and bad, both professionally and personally. Hopefully, the good will far outweigh the bad, and no matter what, all the changes will help me to grow. I am looking forward on looking back to this post next September 2.

On the first day of school