I’m a teacher…say what!?

So the day has finally come…I’m a teacher.  How I got from college, the student teaching to teaching is beyond me.  How all this time flew by so quickly and all of a sudden I was told to “go!” I’m also not sure.  But maybe I should recap so people will actually know what kind of overwhelming feelings I’m feeling right now.

1. My actual job at my IES Clara Campoamor started today, and lasted from 10:30-11:30…yup, it lasted a whole entire hour.  Really, since I had met with my coordinator so many times before school started, there was only so much to do, and she just wanted to introduce me to the teachers really and give me my schedule, explain to me what I’ll be doing and give my some materials and stuff.  So Basically, I’ll be floating around the English department in like 30 min increments and helping out the teachers in teach classroom.  I’ll be working with science, math, music, and history, sadly no English.  But as I was explained today, it’s because they simply can’t give me more hours than I’m allowed to work and they would love to have me in the English classroom, but I’m needed more in other areas.  Unfortunately, I won’t get to work with my coordinator directly :( but I’ll be working with plenty of other great teachers.  They have had 2 assistants in the past, helping them out, but since the crisis they simply don’t have the budget needed to get two assistants, and they’re even lucky to have me because some schools lost their assistant.  So unfortunately, my schedule is a bit crazy and I’m not in one place for long, but it should be interesting.  Since I’m only allowed to work 12 hours (I think I can work a max of 15hrs but I won’t argue), Belen has me in different classrooms in 30 min increments.  I start off my day at around 8:30 or 9:30 and go until only about 1:30 Mon- Thur.  I bounce from room to room and help the teachers in whichever area they need.  I have to meet with each teacher once a week to talk about what’s happening that week and discuss planning. 

Unfortunately, I’m a bit worried about how much I’ll actually be able to accomplish in the classroom and how much help I’ll actually be, because 30 min is really nothing with each class.  I feel like I’ll constantly be looking at my watch trying to get from one class to the next to do my duties.  Although I have been reassured that I am not merely a piece of furniture and should make sure to put my input in and suggest ideas to the teacher.  So it sounds like I’m really helping them plan and get materials and ideas and occasionally assisting in the classroom during my 30 min there.  So that could mean that I just pop in and help out with whatever activity is happening and then pop out to another classroom.  I guess since I haven’t done anything yet we’ll see.  Either way, I am quite nervous to see how all of this plays out.

2. My second job, which I almost consider a bigger job than my first, is working 6hrs a week at a private language academy after school.  I’m in charge of my own classroom, 2 classes of about 9 and 11 students teaching English.  These kids are here to learn and their parents are paying, so they expect them to buckle down and learn.  I landed the job thanks to my amazing coordinator and have been talking with my direct coordinator there to help get me started.  Since I’ve never actually been told to fly on my own without any support it was a little overwhelming.  And they obviously have their own way how they kind of want to run the classroom.  So while I’m allowed freedom, I obviously still have to follow the book and follow their format: 15 min review, 30-45 min book work, 30 min oral and written practice.  Also, since I’m starting the semester with them too, I have to figure out how to spend an hr with them without doing any work because they don’t want me actually starting the book until next Wednesday.  So you can imagine my sense of overwhelming.  Therefore, I stopped by again today to go over things and feel much, much better, after having some guidance and such.  And overall, I’m excited.  It will be fun to be in charge and have my own space.

I’m hoping I have the perfect balance of things, of being able to relinquish control at my placement and of being able to run my own classroom at the academy.  And it’s not a full load of teaching, which is nice, it’s always nice to not have to be constantly planning for 5 classes and making materials.  I’m glad I’m being able to do this though, because I don’t want to lose my confidence being in the classroom and in charge while I’m gone.  It’s already gone now, haha, but I’m sure once I get thrown back into it then I will be just fine!

Sorry I don’t have a picture of IES Clara Campoamor yet!  I tried to get pictures today and they came out really awful, so I will take better ones tomorrow or another day as I’m leaving or something.  And I’m sure more pictures will be to come as the year progresses.  I’ve actually really been slacking on the picture department so far, I guess I’m just trying to live rather than capture moments, which is a good and bad thing.