This is my tenth year of teaching, and although I have always said that my first two years were my favorite, this year at Olympia North has certainly inched its way up to my favorite year ever! I spent nine years teaching in a large district, and the things that district taught me are incredibly valuable. I learned so much about keeping high expectations for my students, as well as practical ways to help them really achieve those high expectations. I learned that students can often do far more than we think they can, if we expect it from them. I love watching my students be proud of an achievement that they never would have tried if they hadn't been encouraged to succeed.
The reason this year has been wonderful is because I have been able to take all that background knowledge and experience, and use it in a setting that is just...different. I grew up in a small town, and small towns have a special community that you can't understand unless you are part of it. Being at Oly North has made me a better teacher because in addition to academics, the focus here lays heavily on parent involvement, and the WHOLE student. This district has encouraged me to communicate with parents more than I ever have (thanks Mr. Lee!), and frankly, I think it's fun! I really feel like a valued team member here.
I was blown away when I came in to fill out my new hire paperwork this past summer. First of all, Dr. Wise is the one who went through paperwork such as my W-4 with me. Who does that?!? The superintendent would never be the one to facilitate that paperwork in a large district. I was amazed that he took the time to meet with each new teacher one-on-one. But I don't think he did it because there wasn't office staff available to hand me paperwork. He met with me because he wants to know each employee in our district.
During that first meeting, Dr. Wise explained the vision of the district to me, and that we truly care about the student's WHOLE lives. More than once, I've heard administration say that if our students can't trust us, they are not going to learn from us. I walked away from that meeting so excited that I get to work in such a focused district, and that my children will grow up attending these schools, with such quality teachers.
Speaking of great teachers, I was incredibly excited to be part of this spectacular talent show act last week...
The reason this year has been wonderful is because I have been able to take all that background knowledge and experience, and use it in a setting that is just...different. I grew up in a small town, and small towns have a special community that you can't understand unless you are part of it. Being at Oly North has made me a better teacher because in addition to academics, the focus here lays heavily on parent involvement, and the WHOLE student. This district has encouraged me to communicate with parents more than I ever have (thanks Mr. Lee!), and frankly, I think it's fun! I really feel like a valued team member here.
I was blown away when I came in to fill out my new hire paperwork this past summer. First of all, Dr. Wise is the one who went through paperwork such as my W-4 with me. Who does that?!? The superintendent would never be the one to facilitate that paperwork in a large district. I was amazed that he took the time to meet with each new teacher one-on-one. But I don't think he did it because there wasn't office staff available to hand me paperwork. He met with me because he wants to know each employee in our district.
During that first meeting, Dr. Wise explained the vision of the district to me, and that we truly care about the student's WHOLE lives. More than once, I've heard administration say that if our students can't trust us, they are not going to learn from us. I walked away from that meeting so excited that I get to work in such a focused district, and that my children will grow up attending these schools, with such quality teachers.
Speaking of great teachers, I was incredibly excited to be part of this spectacular talent show act last week...
One of my students asked how we all knew that we were going to wear the same thing. Ok, buddy, not only did we get here at 7:00 a.m. this morning to tape glow sticks on our black clothes, we stayed after school six times to practice the super cool dance routine that you watched. Why? Because it's all for the kids! Well...that might not be entirely true. The 16 of us had a lot of fun dancing, laughing, and bonding through the experience. I am so grateful that I get to work alongside such a great staff. They are fun, caring, reflective, and always have student's best in mind. It is an honor to teach with them every day. I am simply giddy about being part of this team - my first year of many!