I'm done my first day of teaching my kids. I am exhausted, but not due to the students themselves. They are all really quite nice and they did the best they could under the circumstances. Most of the day consisted of going over new rules and practices, but I created a "Please Remember" chart to help remind them, rather than list a bunch of "don'ts". There was a lot of waiting, a lot of lining up and trying to keep a distance between them, and a whole lot of hand sanitizing and hand washing. At one point, one little darling asked, "When are we going to do some work?"
Too tired to go into detail. It's going to be a very long September. But I have one day under my belt.
Wa-hoo!
Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAll the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYou have my utmost respect!
ReplyDeleteOh, not necessary - there are lots of people who have tougher jobs than this one, but thank you.
DeleteWell done, you! I greatly admire your achievements.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI’m not surprised you’re exhausted. X
ReplyDeleteI'm responding to the comments after my second full day with students, and it was already a better day than the first, so not quite as exhausted tonight.
DeleteWell done. You have the last first day behind you. I admire you for doing the job you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm responding a day later, so now I have two full days behind me. :)
DeleteWell done you...twelve outta ten...
ReplyDeleteAnd l have one day under 'MY' belt..
The 21st...Burfday..! :o). Wa~Hoo..!
Oh, lovely!
DeleteThank you for doing what you do. Were things better or worse than your expectations? I've been thinking of teachers and bus drivers this week, and wondering how things were going. One day at a time, and hopefully, things will become routine.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the students themselves, they were great and tried hard to follow all the new instructions and rules and directives. The amount of time and energy spent on the actual new instructions and directives was worse than I imagined. I just can't do anything the way I used to and so much time is spent waiting until the next cohort is out of the way so you can use the washrooms or the water bottle filling station. I do not have a sink in my classroom (most people don't) and kids can't use fountains. Everything, every transition requires sanitizing and distancing.
DeleteThis all has to be as confusing (and taxing) to the kids as to you good teachers. We ca add conscientious and caring bus drivers to the mix, too. Tuesday, on the first day of school here, the big sister of one little guy missed the bus going home because of lack of proper communication of the new schedule. The two kids normally walk the last 1 mile-plus from the main road in to their home in the woods and wait for one of their parents to get home 30-60 minutes later. The bus driver did not feel comfortable letting the younger brother walk the mile by himself so she drove him all the way in. How she got the bus turned around on that winding road I don't know. She must have had to back out for much of the way. Lots of good people working together to get us all through this.
ReplyDeleteHaha, school bus driver is on my list of jobs I would never want! Ironically, in our board there aren't enough bus drivers to do the routes anymore. Also, many bus drivers tend to be a little older - in that age that is more vulnerable to getting the virus, or at least having a tougher go of it if they do. There are actually bus cancellations already!! Well done with that bus driver for literally going the extra mile!
DeleteCongrats on completing Day One of what has to be a most confusing, difficult situation! And good for you for using positive directives for those little ones! Hope today goes as well for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, the second day was a bit better than the first, so hoping for a steady improvement and adaptation to the new way of doing school.
DeleteThank you! Those children are lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, but I'm one of many. We all feel the same - if it's tough to figure it all out as adults, it must be daunting for the students.
DeleteHopefully it will get easier every day as they get into the routine. I hope you had a lovely glass of wine or whatever would be a welcome homecoming.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jeanie, the second day went a little better than the first and we actually got a few things done! And yes, there was wine when I eventually got home!
DeleteBeing proactive good for you ! You can do this Jenn
ReplyDeleteYes, it's good to anticipate what will be needed, what you have to do ahead of time, and what might go wrong. I can do it, but would have preferred a less chaotic few months.
DeleteOut of the mouths of babes... I do feel for all of you - teachers, students, parents and bus drivers. What a mess!
ReplyDeleteToday, when the grade 4,5, and 6 teachers had their students come, it was like looking in a mirror when I saw them during the second break in the day - harried, wide-eyed, shaking their heads, and mouthing words under their masks that they couldn't say in front of their students! We tried to reassure them that they were having their worst day, and just try and hang on because the next day will be better.
DeleteI feel for you, but your job is so very important. I agree, those kids are very lucky to have you and your caring understanding. Hopefully, it will get easier for you as the days go by. Hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteThank you Edna. It already seemed to go a bit more smoothly today (the second day with the students).
DeleteCongrats on getting through that first day. I'm hopeful things will get easier for everyone and the students can get some work done. :)
ReplyDeleteTake care and stay well!
Thank you, and yes, we did manage to get a bit accomplished today.
DeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue!
DeleteCongratulations! I admire teachers. I can just picture it all, this first day back, and really like your "please remember" chart instead of "don'ts".
ReplyDeleteYes, they've already been through so many disappointments and cancellations... they didn't need more. They did a pretty good job today!
DeleteSo happy to not be in school any more. Are you counting the days?
ReplyDeleteNot days, but months. I've already set in my phone calendar "five more months", "four more months", etc. That first day I was counting down the hours until the day was over, though!
DeleteCongrats for getting day one done and surviving all the newness of teaching. Kids seem to be pretty good about following the rules of Covid. Better than most adults! Good luck as another year begins. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for all of them, but my little guys only needed the odd reminder here and there. The biggest issue is distancing. Kids are naturally holdy and grabby and huggy, so telling them to put spaces between themselves and the others while standing in line is kind of ongoing.
DeleteI just love that little girl and I haven’t even met her!
ReplyDeleteI used to keep a book of funny things kids say. At a school I used to work at, we kept a book in the staffroom where people could record kid quotes. A particularly good one from soooo many years ago, was a little guy telling about his grandma where he said, "...and one morning she woke up, and she was dead!"
DeleteI totally know how you feel hahaha
ReplyDeleteOh, I bet you do!!!
DeleteDay #1 sounds exhausting with everything new for everyone. God bless you, Jenn. Stay well as the children need you. Calm, kind and understanding. Your "please remember" chart is ingenious.
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate to have a really sweet group of kids this year!
DeleteI have the feeling they were as polite and expectant as you, include Miss Worker Bee.
ReplyDeleteI think there were lots of mixed emotions. I called all the parents before school started and was told that some were excited, and some were a little nervous, but most were a combination of both - they hadn't seen so many other kids in about six months. Today I asked them what they missed when they were sheltered at home and one girl said she missed having a teacher who wasn't her mom! There were lots of parents who helped their little ones with online learning, but I'm not so sure the children wanted mom or dad to be their teacher.
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ReplyDeleteFingers crossed, masks on, everyone stays safe. I'm glad to read that so far you have a good group for your last teamster.
ReplyDeleteI typed semester and thanks new Blogger for changing ... maybe Blogger could sit in on your class & learn to behave & follow instruction!
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