Early Fall Focus

September is in full force. The books are out, “to be corrected” papers are stacked higher and higher, and the candle is burning at both ends. Welcome, Fall! 

Even though most schools have just reopened I’ve been working with students since August 5. I’ve been making unit plans, lesson plans, adjusting classroom management strategies, attending meeting after meeting some on teacher training, some on data assessment, and some to get aligned with the norms of my department team. It’s been a whirl-wind. New ideas are forming, new strengths are developing and, to an extent, sleep is being deprived. Though, I am at a significantly smaller school, I feel like my duties have doubled. This is mostly because we don’t have enough staff or students to fill all of those small roles. Moreover, I am the only English Teacher at the school for grades 8-12, but I am only working with 8, 9, and 12 while the 10^th and 11^th graders are taking a college course and the 6^th and 7^th graders have solid humanities teachers. This is another hurdle: 3 different classes to prep. Last year, I had only 10^th grade so one lesson plan would be sufficient, these days its 3 lesson plans a night. 

But I digress. Don’t get me wrong, this is the hardest I’ve ever worked, but I don’t mind. The school is great; the staff is extremely supportive and understanding and they only want me to become a better teacher. I appreciate that. I’ve connected with so many of them and hope I can continue teaching and honing my craft here for the years to come.

Moving away from work, Sacramento is still being its wonderful—if confused—self. It has been hot and sunny, but then we had a crazy “Fall-Fake Out” (on Labor Day) where it was grey and cloudy all day and rain began to pour throughout the day. Then, it was 90+ degrees again and will stay that way throughout this week.

Chelsea is doing a lot work too organizing immigration events for her practicum course, reading page after page for her other classes, working at a firm 10-hours a week. And just the other night we hosted a “Solidarity Mixer” at our house. It was a fun night and we met some really interesting people.

We are staying busy and are really looking forward to the real fall when the temperature drops and the trees weep colors.

But until then, I’m off to grade and plan!