Keeping a Positive Attitude

Sometimes, we are surprised by how things turn out. Yesterday, the first day back in my school building, I was surprised. I was given a different schedule than I anticipated, and learned of some challenges I would soon be facing. At first, I was thinking like: I only get to teach 2 Earth Science classes and now I have 3 US History classes, a class I have not taught. I have 4 different co-teachers, in 4 different classrooms on 4 different floors, and one self-contained class. So even though I only have 2 different subjects, I will basically have 5 separate preps. Whine, whine, whine, complain, complain, complain...

Now that I have had some time to actually think about my upcoming school year, rather than just react, I have started to think positively about the situation. Here is a list of all the great things I am looking forward to: (and I fully expect to come up with more to add to this list in the next weeks!)

• Because I'm teaching Juniors this year too, I get to have some of the same students I had last year again!
• I get to teach with 2 people I have never taught with before. I get to learn all their tricks and observe more experienced teachers.
• One of my coteachers is a dean... jackpot.
• I get to teach with my favorite co-teacher of all time once everyday!
• I will learn how to teach another subject, one of my favorites! (US History)
• I will get exercise.
• I get to teach. I get to interact with 5 classes of kids everyday.
• I get to fine tune my craft.

Anyway, trying to stay positive. Everything can be positive. Tomorrow I get to meet my students and see some of my former students. I am VERY excited!!!