long time no blog....

Ok. I know. It's time I posted something here before I risk going the way of my youngest brother-in-law's blog...

So, what has been happening since the end of August... since it very nearly the end of September....

First, the whole back to school thingy. Got everyone set... then started working on my own transition. Back to the public school.... this time, at the elementary school level... and this year, as teacher, not paraprofessional. A little shift from what I had been doing for roughly the last ten years. Prior to the students' first day... I had my first day in the classroom. A view from that first day...

After.... is above.. with one of my assistants in a rare moment without her young charge!

Another sort of "after" shot.. different angle.

Decisions had to be made about arrangement and getting equipment set in place and so on... not to mention, determining what, if any, materials were left for me to use. Soon, I will take an "after" shot to post... I had the camera with me several days in a row, but the opportunity to take a shot doesn't usually come til the end of the day, and that is usually the last thing on my mind at that point. :)

Since, then I have been making sure I have things ready for the classes I am teaching and modifying materials for other teachers who have a variety of students in the classroom, and facilitating the move to more inclusionary practices as much as possible. We are also using new software for annual paperwork and record-keeping, so I have learning that as well, so I am ready to present the new goals to each child's family as the meeting arise (my first one was last Tuesday). Another teacher, also new to the school, shares the room with me, and works half-days, in the morning. So, we are getting the routine set and who manages what in terms of students' paperwork.

The days go very quickly, which is not new, I remember this feeling from my days at the middle school level. I quickly remembering what worked and what didn't from those earlier days, as I establish rapport and trust with the troopers in my care.

Weekends have included a reception for a co-worker's daughter, a visit to an art fair primarily to see a former colleague's work, a retirement gathering for the doctor who delivered Kate, a book discussion (Einstein: His Life and Universe), and the 30th Annual AAUW Used Book Sale..where Kate and I spent two hours last night working and another three this morning arranging and re-arranging books... I designed the promotional posters and bookmarks, and got the Price List signs made and sent to the printer as well. The entire armory in town is filled with books and the profits provide scholarships for women and girls in the community. It is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Each year it is like this...

So as you can tell... life is never dull. :) There is always something to do or that I should be doing. I hope all is well with all of you.