Things that don't change about the first day of school

I've switched schools which means that the first day of my second year teaching that should be an easier event because I'm used to the school but instead it's like having two first years of teaching! There are however some things that remain the same with any first day...
1. It's annoying that there are names you don't know. I feel pretty shitty about how long it can take me to learn names.
2. I always forget to drink water/take bathroom breaks. Working at a school these activities take maneuvering. I'm not there yet.
3. It's great that every kid walks in believing this is the time they kick it into high gear. Some kids this is true, other kids not so true, but that first day is great.
4. A few kids will act as caricatures of their actual selves and others will be complete dwarfs of what they are.
Happy first day of school! (Like a month after Illinois.)

Dreams I had last night

I'm clearly a bit stressed:
1. Classic woke up in my dreams while it was actually like 12 pm rather than the 6:30 I meant to get up. Finally woke up in a start to find it was 3 am.
2. There was a massacre of Sudenese Refugees within the United States (yes I recently finished What is the What) and since I was apparently friends with the large network of the Lost Boys I went with them to DC (But we're talking very dangerous trip) and eventually saved the President from assassination.
3. I had to go to RIAP today (The first official day I need to show up although there won't be students) and afterwards got caught up spray painting props for a movie my friends were doing (they aren't making this movie). It required purple white and neon green and yellow on black pieces of clothing and shoes. I kept getting it on my clothes which was frustrating--especially when the others were all about 10.
4. I showed up at school late and the teachers were all sitting around a table (well ten of them) and one of them was handing out boxes of organic food and they had all brought food they had prepared (or were preparing there are the table) and were doing this as a part of the food movement. I hadn't brought anything.
Needless to say last night was not my best sleep night.

Return to the good ol' days?

There are certain social norms that we accept today that leads to novels being approached with an "ewww gross" from many of today's students. Luckily these days those "eww gross" situations are coming back!

1. "Ruby and the Rocketts" on ABC Family where one of the main characters is in love with his cousin and not in an "Arrested Development" kind of hilariously awkward way.
2. "17 Again" Yes I get that part of the awkwardness is a mom being in love with a 17 year old kid who is actually her husband, but come on, if that were the other way around gender-wise people would be upset.
3. "Twilight" Domestic abuse anyone?

I'm going to use these the next time for a little compare contrast.

Things I have learned about my new school.

1. They don't have the small school system very developed at all. We'll see how that works out.
2. I meet with the kids 84 minutes every day all year long. Hopefully this will make teaching novels easier!
3. The book room is limited. The school has been in existence for only two years so they haven't accumulated very much. Please give money!
4. They highly value professional development. We don't get out early for it weekly like at my last school but it will be much more structured and hopefully useful!
5. I should keep my mouth shut about district lessons/assessments. Some people at this school love 'em and some people hate 'em. Very different than my last school's passionate hatred.
6. I think I only have one class that another teacher teaches as well. Unfortunately they are very big on teacher independence, potentially to a fault.
7. IB is what humanitas was at my last school. Yay!
8. I should at max have 120 students! That's practically downright normal. (granted I'll have them in three classes.)

Job Received.

And it's at a great school! Highlights that made me know this could be a great fit:
1. The school is a neighborhood school. They take the people from the area into the school and that's it.
2. When they formed they took democracy to the construction process. The community picked the name, the school colors, the mascot, the colors of the building, AND the students picked out the uniform.
3. They have the same small school model that my last school had. I'll be in the Science and Tech one.
4. They have a 1200 person theater. :)
5. Each teacher has an opportunity to apply for a $5000 grant for a project they want to do in their classroom.
6. This is a school that worked hard to keep their laid off teachers.
7. I can take public transportation to work. :)

Favorite Interview Questions

I went to a really good interview the other day that reminded me of some of my favorite interview questions. They are favorites because they show the school knows a little something about what they believe in. (You'd be surprised at how many schools do "boxed" questions they pulled from the internet)
1. What did you learn last year as a teacher and what will you do differently? (this includes when they ask you about a specific unit that failed)
2. What specific types of strategies will you use to teach writing?
3. Our school is really pushing _____, how do you see yourself contributing to that effort?
4. We notice on your letters of rec that someone says you do _____. Tell us when and in what ways.

I'll let you know Monday how things went.

Top Ten Reasons to visit Lindsay in Nicaragua

1. Public Transportation is cheap. For a couple of dollars you can ride a bus across the nation.
2. The Pitahaya fruit is amazingly delicious in fruit and ice cream form.
3. Nothing like showering with cold water in a bucket to make you appreciate the joys of running hot water.
4. Your Spanish will improve. Even if you currently don't speak any Spanish.
5. Did you play Amazon Trail as a kid? How much cooler is to actually be in a rainforest.
6. They grow Coffee, Sugar and Cacao. Now I don't like Coffee but those other two make up for it.
7. The way they grow corn will blow your mind.
8. There aren't many countries you can go to that had a major revolution just 30 years ago and are currently very safe to visit.
9.When you try to come up with questions for Lindsay, you can ask the ones relevant to her life rather than "um tell me anything at all?"
10. Lindsay's pretty great to hang out with.