Day #8 No students, yet. As an ESL teacher I spend the first two weeks of school testing and testing some more, meeting and meeting again, setting up lists, and organizing schedules, until finally I can start servicing students. This is my second year as an ESL teacher though I have been in this position a couple of times previously in my career. Last year was tough as I was new to my school and I didn't know what to do for the first couple of weeks. Everything was new and confusing. This year feels a little more familiar and I haven't stopped to take a break since I started. Still, I miss the first few days of school from when I had a class list on Day #1. I miss the smell of new supplies. I miss the eager faces of students. I miss building a community of learners. I greet familiar faces. I welcome new students. I can't wait to get started teaching for real. Soon. Soon. Soon.
This blog is a place to ruminate on the problems of teaching. If I am thinking thoughtfully, my posts will hopefully raise more questions than answers. By problematizing teaching we reflect on those questions that are constantly behind, in front, and at center of everything we do in the classroom. Feel free to comment. I'd love to hear what other teachers are thinking about on these and other issues. Cheers! Elisa