One More Week...

Christmas is quickly approaching and I can sense the excitement and anxiety of my students--they are ready to get out for a few weeks, just like I was when I was in high school. I can see the fatigue of my students and can sense their desire to be anywhere but school. I've also had to dig deep and push myself to provide every one of my students with the energy and attention they deserve. The holiday music is playing and "Elf" is running every night on TBS. How am I supposed to focus on school?!

As I mentioned in the last post, I have been teaching every single period during the school day (every teacher gets 1 period off to "plan" and maintain sanity). I took over a geometry class for two weeks and am having a blast. Tenth grades are much different from juniors and seniors. I walk in essentially blind every morning, not knowing what is "planned" for the day. So, I've had a good time learning WITH the students. We have mastered how to find areas and perimeters of complex figures. It also fun to know that you're doing something special for students that you aren't used to seeing. They all exclaim that they want me to stay as their permanent teacher. I may indeed have many of them next semester as I'm teaching a tenth grade test prep class. Overall, it has been a fun experiencing...a nice change of pace.

This week will be rather hectic as there are assemblies and mandated tests. There is also snow in the forecast. Last week D.C. got its first snowfall and everyone in my class stopped taking the exam they were supposed to be doing and ran to the window to check it out...

BUSY BUSY BUSY

I know I haven't written in a while, but the holiday season is fast paced with lots of meetings, events, schedule changes, etc. Although, I can't use that as an excuse!f Over the last few weeks many things have gone on at school that are worth noting.

I officially became the "CHILL" club advisor. I will be taking a few students snowboarding at Liberty Mountain one day a week for six consecutive weeks starting in January. Like I mentioned before, I have never snowboarded in my life. This should be a great opportunity for students to get out and be active during the winter months. I know when I was in school people were much more lethargic and depressed, so this extreme activity should wake some students up. I have posted flyers around the school to spark interest. It is still weird seeing "Mr. Athmer" posted on things.

Maybe the most intense thing I have agreed to do thus far is take over a teacher's geometry class first period (my "planning" period where I don't have a class). The teacher is traveling to a wedding over seas for two weeks and the math department doesn't necessarily want a substitute managing the classroom for two weeks. So, they asked me and I obliged, knowing that the students deserve someone who is going to actually lead them for two weeks. This should be interesting teaching a full day of classes for two straight weeks. We'll find out Monday!

Overall, everything is going well. My students are making progress in class. They are beginning to understand important connections and applications of statistics in real life. My goal is for them to simply think critically about the world around them--to be able to read and appreciate text and ask questions about events. I think they are also starting to really understand that I am not giving up on them, no matter how wild, rowdy, or anxious they are during the holiday season. I expect them to work hard always and they know that I don't let up, or have "free time." I always let them know that I do not want to "short-change their education" whenever they ask for a "free Friday." They are all great young people with all the potential in the world. I get energy from seeing them succeed with the little things like plugging numbers into a formula correctly or achieving a 95 percent on a quiz. They become the happiest people on the planet. I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead my 70 students to success.