August: the first FOUR weeks

Things I am proud of:

• I have a file folder for (almost) every student (except for the ones that just came back from ALS within the last week and a half).
• We set up Interactive Science Notebooks (ISN) and every student has one!! I am still working out the kinks, and four weeks in, I still have yet to give a grade for the ISN. My goal next week is to pass out a rubric and grade two class worth’s a day.
• I made it through my first big unit! We have now covered and tested on competency 1, which is inquiry in Biology 1 (scientific method, designing experiments, data, and graphs). Today we started Biochemistry, which will keep us busy until the end of the 1st nine weeks (the first quarter).
• Students have barely been eating in my room, and most are not tardy. Although, I did have to alter my tardy policy to be just INSIDE the door getting your materials, instead of SITTING DOWN in your seat working on the bell ringer questions when the bell rings. I had to change to accommodate the line that forms in the front of the room when students are grabbing their ISN and bell ringer folder each day.
• Our school has a band! You don’t even realize how happy this makes me.

Things with which I am not yet satisfied:

• For my goal of calling all parents within the first two weeks/month/two months - I have called all of my fifth period, which is my worst period. I have also seen around 20 parents during our open house this last week.
• I spend too much time “perfecting” any one lesson. I need to get my planning done FASTER so that I can spend some time grading.
• I have yet to enter a single grade - and it is the fourth week of class! I have piles of things that are half graded, we’ve gotten through two tests and a quiz, and there are around 20 pages in the ISN to check and grade. Progress reports get printed on Tuesday, so I sort of have to get something entered.
• I have not gone to every football game. This is not a requirement, but something I wanted to do. I said nay on the first away game and the game last night that was occurring in the rain.   
• I am much more angry and dejected than I thought I would be this early in. I want to be excited about this all, but the anxiety/dread/exhaustion/hopelessness seem to outweigh it most of the time.
• I was verbally sexually harassed by students for the first time. No matter the context, I do NOT appreciate someone telling me to “shake dat ass.” Especially when it is a teenage male who thinks they’re the shit and is just saying it so their audience of other teenage males can laugh. Double especially when I can’t tell who actually said it, so an insincere apology brought on by pressure from the football coach is the most I can hope for.

Mostly four weeks in, I don't have much time to think about this all. I can't seem to find the time to check in with my parents or siblings. I haven't done anything creative in I don't even know how long...I just keep putting one foot forward and triple-checking my phone's alarm.

L'Etoile du Nord

While in class yesterday, I kept myself busy with a little bit of grading and adding to the I Am poem we started at the beginning. It soon morphed into a poem about where I am from, more so than me in my current place/time/position/mindset.
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L'Etoile du Nord

I am from backyard woods, a

maze of oaks and acorns, and 

falling maple helicopters.

from forts of ferns and tree hole witches brew,

long summer days spent at Jan’s

laundry sheet hammocks stretching 

for an afternoon nap.

from yeah, sure

and sometimes you betchas.

from casseroles and apple cider, and

the World’s Best macaroni and cheese 

made special from the hands of my father.

from rosey cheeks and sniffling noses

sodden mittens and hole-in-the-hill snow forts

I am from broken and bandaged families

with slowly healing wounds

from cottages and cabins, 

Up North camping and canoes

Hours spent with wrinkly fingers

never far from water, still

Minnehaha, Minneapolis, Mankato, M&M

from colored crayons and chemistry kits,

late nights gazing at crystal clear skies, 

wondering

if that light in the distance is Mars, or

Venus, or L’Etoile du Nord?

Or something else, like

what does heaven look like, 

if you know everything, Mom?

I am from reserved until full-force

with genuine sincerity

if you don’t have something nice to say...

and above all else, The Golden Rule.

from privilege and support, both

financially and emotionally

Always keeping near me that

Never Ending Supply of gratitude.