Teaching is something I have always wanted to do. I can’t believe that my first year of teaching is coming to an end. I have about 9 days left and then I will have more time to devote to exercising, my blog, crafts, and organization of my classroom.

This school year has taught me 20 things:

-Be polite, consistent, and respectful to your students and they will behave with the same consideration.

-I learned a lot about patience with students, myself, and with people.

- I learned humility in the fact that things don’t always pan out the way you planned.

- I get mad at myself when I forget things: P

- I enjoy teaching fourth grade I learned the curriculum it’s very engaging to both the students and myself.

- In my first year of teaching I am excited that I surrounded my self with positive energy and people who helped me in any way they could to make sure I was the best I could be.

-I learned to not be afraid of trying something. If it didn’t work, try again later, and reflect on how it can be changed.

- Co-workers are a great resource and so is Edhelper.com (internet)

- I learned how to sign up for benefits, and buy a house in my name ( that was a little scary).

- I already knew that I had to stay organized, but knowing and doing for 9 months and with 32 students was something I had to learn for myself.

-I learned how to maintain effective high expectations for my students by clearly stating objectives and why we are doing what we are doing.

-I now know what Taki’s are.

- I learned that you will always have those students that think they are doing their best, but unknowingly are not, and when you think you are finally making a difference in the kids life… their parents break your heart because they move.

-I found out that I can buy 55 books at Goodwill for 15.00$. Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and garage sales are fantastic! I bought so much stuff from them. I bought books, electric pencil sharpeners, organization bin’s, tons of black folders, magazines, pencils, stickers, ABC line, posters etc.

- I learned that the first two weeks of school are the most important for setting the tone for the year.

- If something is not working change it!

- I learned that the first year I was going to stay later then everyone else because I wanted to make sure I was ready for the next day. All the long days spent in the first year are not going to go in vain, because I am now ready to do the same things next year.

- I learned how to be a professional. Sounds cheesy but at the beginning of teaching I still felt like a college kid. I went into teaching thinking that all my co-workers acted very professional, and I kept working at it, I think I am finally at the point where I feel like it.

- I learned that I eat, sleep and breathe my job for the first four months. Student teaching doesn’t prepare you for the whole 9 months of teaching. During student teaching you have your master teacher that you always run ideas and things by. In having your own class you don’t run your lessons with anyone before you do them , and everyday is a different lesson that you have to be 110% confident in.