I've taught 8th graders for 18 days now. Eight. Teen. Days. I don't think I've ever cried this much. Enough of that. Let's get to the good stuff.
So, before I got my current job at PMS (Panem Middle School - because I'm fighting to survive), I was super excited about being a teacher! The first job I applied for was to a super small school district. A few days after the interview, I got the call; I didn't get the job. I was devastated. Crushed. Disappointed. From this closed door, I decided to apply to nearly every single job posting within a 30 mile radius of home. My next 2 interviews were for PMS and a local high school. At the time, I was set on the high school because I didn't want to teach middle school. When I went to PMS for my interview, I was BLOWN away by the interviewers: the principal, the new assistant principal, the counselor, and the lead math teacher. I was so excited during the interview (definitely different from the 1st interview experience). Upon leaving the interview, I knew that was the job I wanted. As you can see, I was offered the job and accepted it! I couldn't believe I was excited about teaching middle school students, but I was.
Fast forward during the summer. I was in summer school for my Master's in math. It was miserable.
When I met the faculty at PMS, I was even more sure that God opened this door for me. I knew I was exactly where I needed to be. That was definitely reassuring.
The first day of school, I felt like a new student. A 6th grade student. I didn't know the location of the cafeteria, other teachers' classrooms, or if I was doing the right thing at the right time. It was an experience for sure!
So now you may be thinking, "Cononiah, is it what you thought it would be?" My answer? Nope. Not at all, but I still love it. I teach 2 classes of 8th grade math and one class of Algebra 1. Sometimes I still feel like a chicken with its head detached. Some days I feel like students had fun while learning. Other days, I wonder if the day was productive. Did my activity turn out as planned? Did I explain a concept in the best way? Did I really lock a student out of the classroom for 10 minutes? Yep - that happened.
One thing every college education program should tell its students - your first year of teaching is about survival. It's the truth. If it weren't for the amazing people at PMS, I do not believe I could make it.
