Go ahead, venture inside.

I don't know about you, but I'm eager to get in my classroom in order to start setting things up. Those teacher in-service days are going to fly by and, chances are, you will be in a time crunch to get your room set up. Until you feel good about the way your room looks, it will be difficult to pay attention to all the information they throw at you during in-services. So, why not contact your principal and see if you can get into your room early? Believe me, you won't regret it. Most principals will have no problem with this. It shows your principal that you are a hard worker and that you care about the way your classroom looks. Definitely something to consider. If you do go in early to work on your room, try to be as independent/self-sufficient as possible. What I mean by this is that you should avoid bothering your administrators with too many requests, especially in the beginning. Remember to be courteous and friendly towards all staff members (learn their names!) that you encounter, particularly towards the building engineer and maintenance staff. Stay tuned for more posts dealing with preparation for those important first days of school.


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What's this all about?

"The Road Less Taught", besides the obvious allusion to Frost's poem, is a phrase that I coined (at least I think I coined it...) to shed some light on the experience of a beginning teacher, embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Let's be honest. The most important lessons in teaching are not imparted within the realm of official teacher training or preparation anyway. The truth is, these lessons can't really be taught in isolation. They must be learned "on the road". This philosophy of learning through interaction and experience is downplayed in favor of educational theories, fads, and buzzwords. As a teacher of ten (going on eleven!) years in the classroom, I am finally yielding to my inclinations to share some of the lessons I've learned along the "road" of my own teaching career. My words are especially, yet not exclusively, directed towards first-year teachers or to anyone who considers his/herself a beginning teacher. I'm aiming my words at those of you who are both eager to succeed and unsure of what lies ahead. I will be writing a series of entries during the upcoming (2010-2011) school year. Despite my years of experience, I am about to embark on the same type of yearlong quest to impact lives and inspire a genuine love of learning. I will be facing the same obstacles and frustrations that all teachers, young and old, will encounter. My hope is that by sharing my own challenges, observations, thought processes, decisions, and actions I will provide you with a certain measure of support, advice, and companionship (and of course a few laughs!). Until then, try your best to enjoy " the calm before the storm"! Just kidding...well, sort of kidding.


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Location:Chicago, IL