Day Four and Five: Reflections

So I didn't post on Thursday or Friday, but I am going to take that as a good sign.

I stepped back from everything and took some time to chill out and relax, as well as get to know my co-workers.  We went out to happy hour on Thursday afternoon, and then on Friday we had a little bit of training in the morning and then out to lunch in the afternoon.

The place I work is so fabulous, and I know I left off in anxieties on Wednesday night, but they were all sated on Thursday.  We were able to voice our concerns and how overwhelmed we felt at department time on Thursday, and it was actually quite shocking.  Our department chair, asked us like what was wrong - he was picking up on the very overwhelmed energy, and everyone went around and shared something that was like… making them nervous, and when it came to my turn, I had to tell him I didn’t know what my place was going to be, and how that was going to look, and I felt badly that I didn’t know and didn’t really see what I was going to be doing.  1) He commented that I was smart and competent and that was why I was there  and 2) that I would figure it out within the first week, and it wasn’t going to be a problem. 

And then, afterward, we did some other stuff, and me and this other girl went to grab SB because he was in the social studies meeting (aka him and the head of the social studies dept - there are only two of them, haha) was like “I just wanted to let you know, I totally felt what you were saying earlier.  I started teaching as a fellow and it was really uncomfortable and weird sometimes - but know that you’re the only TA here because we want you to be a classroom teacher.  We want you to move up with us and take on that role because we know you’re great and can do it.  Just be flexible, take every opportunity you can, and use this time to absorb everything, because you’re going to use it here.”  

It was the nicest thing and it was so genuine, I just wanted to like hug her. It totally put me at ease knowing that she believed I could do it and actually like… affirmed those things.

Otherwise, Friday was low-key and we went out for lunch and happy hour (again), and then I came home, and have been here all weekend.  

I'm excited to start again tomorrow and just ready to meet the rest of the staff.  

Also, I figured it's probably weekly goal time.  

I did not meet my entire goal this week - but only because of miscommunications leading me to not ACTUALLY having my mentor teacher there.  So I did learn like 10 things about everyone there, but not my mentor.  I did, however, meet my goal of being present during every single PD. 

I will reaffirm my goals for this upcoming week: Learn at least 10 things about my mentor AND be present in every single PD.