This First-Year Teacher's Summer

Well one of my resolutions on January 1 was that I would write, write, write. It's been literally months and I haven't written. But - here I am!

I seemed to have blinked and all of a sudden it was approaching mid-July. The last day of school came and went and summer school was under way before I knew it. I've been teaching two Pre-Algebra classes at a fancy summer school and it's been going well - I'm out by early afternoon! I hang, have dinner, watch The Walking Dead (my new obsession...I know I'm several years late), go to sleep, and do it all again!

It's safe to say I've learned some new things this summer:

1. "Kids Will Be Kids." Wow, I officially sound ancient. I'm learning that no matter where you are, regardless of the socioeconomic situation, the background, the culture, kids will all be kids. They're quirky, smart, forgetful, sweet, hard workers, selective listeners, and mine are all middle-schoolers so they're all going through puberty (lucky them, right?) It's easy for us as adults (I guess I'm an adult) to get frustrated with kids for well, being kids. I'm learning to just chill and remember kids will be kids.

2. Teachers DEFINITELY need the summers off. Even though I'm teaching two summer classes, I'll still have August off and it's still a different environment than during the school year. It's so important for a teacher's mental health to have a little break every once in a while. We need to re-charge and get ready for the following school year! There's nothing like the sweet sense of freedom at 12:30 that day in late June walking out of the front doors. 

3. "The Only Constant in Life Is Change". Things change, whether we like it or not. Maybe it's professional, personal, or just little silly things here and there. For me, I thought I would be moving out within weeks. We had a lease signed and due to an awfully stinky cigarette stench, we're waiting until another place opens up. One of my best friends is moving to Baltimore only a year after one of my other best friends moved to Vermont. My sister's heading off to college at the end of the summer. Things change and it's up to us to handle that change!


I'm sure we all (teachers or not) are looking forward to the rest of the nice, hot summer. Hoping everyone enjoyed the 4th of July and has some beach time planned! 

Me and The Ben on our way tonight at the park :)