Year 2

I am now two week into year two of teaching, and it has going far better than year one. Last year I missed my first few days of work because of stomach virus, and this year I now know at least half of their names already. I'm teaching four freshmen Earth Science classes and one multi-grade Engineering Physics class. Both of them are going so well right now! This year there are "freshmen teams" - this means that there are a set of core freshmen teachers that see the same students everyday. This also means that we had to change from 80 minute classes (saw them every other day) to 40 minute classes everyday. I like the shorter periods in that things move quickly... very quickly. I sometimes feel like I'm rushing students through things, but I just have to learn how to adjust.

The first week of school was almost intolerable due to the heat wave. Not only was it in the 90's everyday, it was also humid. Mainer's are not accustomed to this type of heat, and I am very much not accustomed to that kind of humidity. There are very few places that are air conditioned (thank you starbucks!) including my classroom and my house. I even tried to buy one, but they aren't even sold around here this time of year. One thing I've learned is that the weather here can change very quickly, and sure enough it's now cool outside. I've started to see some of the trees change color, and I even considered turning on my propane indoor fireplace last night to take the chill off. I would have never guessed that just a week ago I had sweat dripping down me while I was trying to teach.

Over the summer I got most of the items on my list done except the driveway, painting, and organizing my school cabinets. I did get lots of needed rest and relaxation, so I think I can put off those tasks till next summer.

Sorry that I haven't posted any pictures. I'm pretty comfortable sitting in my pj's this Saturday morning. Maybe next time!