Guess what, everyone? It's my 5-month anniversary! That's right; I haven't posted for 5 straight months! Thank you, thank you; you're too kind.
I've had a lot of changes the past 5 months. I switched jobs twice! That's got to be a record. I tried Head Start, but it didn't agree with me. For those of you in Head Start programs and surviving, I give you my undying respect. The amount of paperwork and bureaucracy involved every day heaped on top of teaching is an enormous task.
So, now I'm teaching one-year-olds. I really miss my integrated class, but I love the environment I'm in now. I might see if I can take some classes to get a bachelor's in special education, but my husband just applied for a PhD program at a few schools. But you never know. So far, my life has been full of surprises, but they've helped me figure out what it is that I want to do with my life and what kind of person I actually am. For instance, I'm really creative but I'm terrible at communicating with my co-teacher (I'm getting better, I think!).
I also love my network at NAEYC. If you joined just to have it on your resume or get that requirement fulfilled, I encourage you to think about joining. There are lots of resources both on the site and in your local chapter. For example, I talked with one lady last month about being an assessor, something I didn't even realize existed. They've provided lots of encouragement and professional development for me as a teacher and I can't wait to start a new year with them.
If you're reading this at all, thank you. I'd like to let you know that I do plan on starting updates again, this time more focused on toddler activities than preschool. (Obviously, since I don't teach preschool any more.) Hopefully if you do teach preschoolers, you'll find some activities that can be adapted up. You won't find any lessons on TPT or TeachersNotebook since the school where I work uses its own format and those sites don't promote learning that early. Yet. I do want to continue tweaking the lessons and adding any I may not have up yet, so be watching for those.
Thanks for reading if you are and listening to my ramblings and expect an update soon! (Definitely before another month is up).
-Amy
I've had a lot of changes the past 5 months. I switched jobs twice! That's got to be a record. I tried Head Start, but it didn't agree with me. For those of you in Head Start programs and surviving, I give you my undying respect. The amount of paperwork and bureaucracy involved every day heaped on top of teaching is an enormous task.
So, now I'm teaching one-year-olds. I really miss my integrated class, but I love the environment I'm in now. I might see if I can take some classes to get a bachelor's in special education, but my husband just applied for a PhD program at a few schools. But you never know. So far, my life has been full of surprises, but they've helped me figure out what it is that I want to do with my life and what kind of person I actually am. For instance, I'm really creative but I'm terrible at communicating with my co-teacher (I'm getting better, I think!).
I also love my network at NAEYC. If you joined just to have it on your resume or get that requirement fulfilled, I encourage you to think about joining. There are lots of resources both on the site and in your local chapter. For example, I talked with one lady last month about being an assessor, something I didn't even realize existed. They've provided lots of encouragement and professional development for me as a teacher and I can't wait to start a new year with them.
If you're reading this at all, thank you. I'd like to let you know that I do plan on starting updates again, this time more focused on toddler activities than preschool. (Obviously, since I don't teach preschool any more.) Hopefully if you do teach preschoolers, you'll find some activities that can be adapted up. You won't find any lessons on TPT or TeachersNotebook since the school where I work uses its own format and those sites don't promote learning that early. Yet. I do want to continue tweaking the lessons and adding any I may not have up yet, so be watching for those.
Thanks for reading if you are and listening to my ramblings and expect an update soon! (Definitely before another month is up).
-Amy
