Post the First: An Introduction

As if I didn't have enough blogs already (I believe this makes number 7 or 8). The idea here, though, actually began as a Word document on my hard drive, until I realized a blog would be a much easier way to manage things.

So here's the deal. During my teacher ed program in college and especially during my student teaching, reflective practice was (is) all the rage. It's trendy, it's hip, it's required by law. So, I figured, why not continue the habit? The idea is that teachers who think about what they're doing well in their teaching and what they need to work on--and then articulate those thoughts in writing--become better teachers faster.

Before I continue, I've got to give credit where credit is due--Katie really turned me on to the idea through her own blog with the same goal in mind. And just because I've been told over and over again that "the best teachers steal" (ideas, mostly), here's a clip from her first post that should cover any confusing ground. My edits are in brackets.

I graduated this past spring from [Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah] with a [Bachelor of Arts in English Teaching]. I accepted a job at Exclesior Academy in Erda, Utah, because I was impressed with the vision for the school. I’ll be teaching [6th and 7th grade English].

I’m excited and nervous and trying not to be overwhelmed. I am confident in my abilities and my training, but I just don’t know exactly what to expect. Fortunately, the fear of the unknown is keeping me humble and thus forcing me to think more about the upcoming year.

Excelsior Academy is a charter school and brand new this year. As I type, construction continues on the building. It is scheduled to be completed on August 14. I’m hoping, praying, knocking on wood, all while crossing my fingers that it will be completed on time and that we will receive all our supplies in a timely fashion so that we can open as scheduled on August 24.

The facultly is from all over the United States representing such locations as Maine, New Hampshire, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Wyoming, and Washington with three colleagues recently teaching in a remote location of Northwest Alaska. I’m excited for the diversity and hope that we all bring the best of our backgrounds and experiences to the table. This diversity has the potential to create the best school around.