Only by God's grace!
I have survived week 2 of TFA institute. This is the most challenging thing I have ever been through. The students on Monday were not too bad. I went over all the rules, consequences, and procedures and tried to enforce them. When I say try I mean I gave people warnings on Monday and then became to lenient after that. I really did not establish a very good classroom management scheme. I struggle with being really stern and assertive. I definitely want to improve but I am not sure how easy that is going to be here. For starters I am teaching Chemistry and I am struggling to come up with the material that I am supposed to teach. I have been creating my lesson plans the night before each day and they have gradually become less effective. I am trying to catch up today and tomorrow but I barely got through my Monday lesson plan today and I worked practically all day on it. I am putting all my faith in God right now that I can make it through the next 3 weeks. I fully believe that he will get me through but not without first learning alot about the struggles of teaching along the way.
I have been getting on average 4 hours of sleep for the past 2 weeks and I expect to continue doing the same. BUT on weekends I do try to get more sleep. Last night I got 10 and I am shooting for at least 7 tonight. I am looking forward to this experience being over so that I can immediately get started on planning for my classes in the Fall. I now know that I must do some major preparations to be ready for school in the Fall. I am looking forward to teaching Math though. I believe that the concepts are much easier to teach and therefore learn.
Well I just wanted to let you all know that I am alive and I apologize for not being able to write more. Maybe once I am more than one night ahead of myself. Please pray for me if that is something you do. I need all the prayer I can get. Love you guys!
Peace,
MO
3 comments:
I can`t imagine how difficult it has been for you to start teaching after 1 week of preparation...but I have faith that things will be easier, you will eventually get more than 4 hours of sleep a night, and that classes this Autumn will go much more smoothly! Keep your focus on God and He will get you through- I`m sure of it!
You're in my prayers, bro. Can't imagine the difficulty you are facing, but you will make it! I will pray that God would grant you boldness and a firm hand in your classroom, and a clear mind despite your lack of sleep. Hang in there. Let me know if there is anything else I can do, even if it's just talk!
It's tough trying to control a classroom. As you get into teaching, you'll start getting a feel for you students, how hard you will need to push them, and how strict you will need to be. Ask others teachers how they keep their classrooms in check and how they keep up with their lesson plans.
I'm glad to see you are doing well. ^_^
-Kevin
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