Tempus Fugit (Latin for 'time flies')

It seems as though it was yesterday that I bid adieu to students, colleagues, and FL! Two months of break, (I don’t call it vacation), have vanished and what do I have to show for it?? There are only 3.5 weeks until my August 16 reporting date. Classes cannot begin until August 27th here in the Lone Star state. As Clio commented: “…you’ll be welcoming back students soon enough, (not to mention FL).”

You know what???

My nerves are tingling in anticipation of starting a fresh, new academic year. Let me bring you up to date ~ I am teaching 8th grade US History for the first time. It is a high stakes area (translate ~ TAKS tested) and it will be challenging professionally. After 5 years of teaching the history of Texas, I felt that I had gotten rather complacent. There are people who want me to succeed and are willing to help me if I get stuck. If you are a regular reader you will know that I am replacing Teacher X. He has been unceremoniously moved to the 6th grade. FL informed me that personnel verified his certification with TEA and he IS qualified to teach grade 6. The other 8th grade teacher has moved to another campus. My new partner is a rookie but I am excited that she is energetic, competent and eager. Did I mention that I met her @ my History Alive! workshop? I liked the strategies that she shared during our time together and I mentioned to her that we might have an opening. Success!!! This also means I have ‘new blood’ for our department which is going to help erode our “ugly stepchild” image on campus. Woohoo!!!

We met at school today to start setting up our classrooms. She will have to attend a new teacher orientation all of next week, so she wanted to get a head start. I wanted her to meet our ELL teacher as she (ELL teacher) will co-teach one class period with me. All three of us seem to have the same goal in mind: a successful year. It was decided that we will meet August 9th to plan the first quarter.

I neglected to tell you that my new partner and I share the same first name & she is getting married on Dec. 30th of this year. Rookie has a lot on her plate but she is up to the challenge. Can you come up with a nickname for her for blogging purposes???

We will be attending an institute in Austin sponsored by: Social Studies Texas Council for History Education (TxCHE) this coming Friday.

Change is in the air and it’s all good!

~ba~