I like my job

I've only had 7 days of school and I'm loving being back at work. My boss told me within the first days of school that last year's End of Level Test results were back and I had 89% of my kids pass. Only like 4 or 5 didn't pass. (I don't remember for sure). How great is that! I've never had results that good. But then, that was only my 3rd time with my kids taking that test. Yesterday I learned that one of my students earned 100% on it. Now, that is big news for her, but also great news for me. I'm not the biggest fan of relying on tests, but still. These tests are kind of a reflection of the teacher. It really makes me feel amazing!

I also witnessed perhaps the funniest this I have yet to see in my class. I was teaching my lesson, I was currently in the front of the room almost in the center. I had my head facing the right side of the classroom. As I move my head around to the other side, I see a young man who is in the process of putting his leg OVER his head. While I was a little frustrated when it happened. It was pretty funny.

I also had a teaching break-through. This year I am trying several new strategies to help me become a better teacher. Normally when I ask a question and the student refuses to answer I move on, completely out of feeling uncomfortable in that silence, yeah you guys know what I'm talking about. But the other day I didn't. The other day I asked a young man to give me a proper noun. He just sat there and stared at me. I urged him to give me anything, his favorite store, candy bar, anything. He just sat there. A couple of students said "He's mad at you, he's not going to answer." (he was mad because I moved him because he wouldn't stop talking, strangely to the kid who tried to put his leg over his head) I said "that's fine, he can be mad, but he still needs to give a answer." He eventually broke down and said Wal-mart. For the rest of class he was actively participating in class. Raising his hand and everything!

On top of all this, we had our opening assembly yesterday. 6 teachers performed this dance for the students and teachers' amusement.