Nerves, Butterflies, and Deep Breaths

You know how you get really excited for something that you have been preparing months for, then you get nervous that you are going to screw it up? And your mood switches from super happy to freak out mode? Or you have those annoying nervous giggles?? That has been my week. Not that it was terrible or awful or terrifying. It was just filled those "healthy" nerves that accompany that huge leap into the unknown. 


For me, my unknown was stepping into that classroom with 30 teenagers staring at me like I was old or in charge or something. I had no idea what I was going to say, no idea how to fill 45 minutes with stuff, no idea if I should smile or be angry. Add to that the horror stories giggly shared by my colleagues to "lighten the mood." Lets just say that I spent a lot of time Tuesday night trying not to think about the impending sunrise of Wednesday.

Our School Logo

But I made it! I did not cry. And I think my classes understood what I was saying. And I did not have any awkward moments of silence. (Crying is a running joke with the staff. I guess teachers cry all the time. Who knew?? It is my personal goal to not be the first one.) You know what?? It was actually a ton of fun. My students are great. Most of them actually want to learn this history I am teaching - or they told me they didn't and we had a laugh together. The school is great. The content of my classes is great (ok, it is mostly history, who wouldn't want to learn about this again and again and again??) And most importantly, I survived the worst part of this job: the first week. It can only get easier with experience and time!


Honestly, it is not like I was climbing Mt. Everest or anything. (Although, the stairs to the fifth floor are a killer when you are late to your class and decided for some strange reason to wear heals...) 


Thus, life is wonderful. I teach 22 hours per week, but with prep and extra-curricular activities, it works out to be over 40. I have three English Conversation classes with first years (about 14 years old) that I see four times a week. As my only English class, I mostly teach grammer, conversation, and writing. Oh, and we get to listen to the most ridiculous recordings ever!! Then I have two big classes of third years where I teach World History until the First World War. I also have two big classes (big = 30 kids) of fourth years who learn all about the 20th century and its amazingness. Finally, I have the class I am most excited to teach: British and American History Review. This class is with my fifth years and sadly is only once a week. It is a good thing I have four small (15) classes of them! Anyway, they are simply reviewing British and American history for their Maturita (the big test to graduate from school) and requested that I would not lecture them. So, I am making them lead a class. Not only do I not have to teach each time, I get to enjoy their take on these vague historical questions. It is a win-win situation. Woo-hoo! 


I hope everyone is doing well as this fall season begins.
Much love,
Katherine