Meet the Teacher Day

Today was Meet the Teacher Day, the day where parents come around and get a feel for their kids' teachers.  I ended up meeting almost 100 parents during the 5 hour day.  Most of the parents were pleasant.  I had one parent to complain about high school teachers not being very warm and welcoming.  Um... We're not kindergarten teachers.  High school teachers are not known for being extra bubbly.  Now don't get me wrong, there are some that are.  I just don't happen to be one of them.  When I meet parents I put on my business face.  I smile politely and give them the information for my class.  I don't feel the need to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya".  Maybe that's just me.  *shrugs*

In my last post I talked about my severely SPED student and if you know me, you know how much I love this kid.  I had been concerned about his schedule for this year and I had expressed my concern to my husband.  He said, "You know you're not his mom, right?"  LOL. I can't help it.  I love my kids and I have to make sure that they're ok.  Anyway, the secretary came across the hall to my classroom today saying that someone wanted to see me.  I was thinking she was playing a trick on me or that it was one of "those" students.  It was my kid!  His mom said that he insisted on coming to see me today, so she had to bring him.  He said he wanted to be in my class this year.  Can you say melted heart? I didn't think he'd remember me over the summer, but he did. 

I'm really, super duper excited about the upcoming school year.  I've set some pretty high goals for myself that will stretch me and cause me to get out of my comfort zone some.  This will be my 8th year teaching and I feel like it's time to change it up so I can grow as an educator.  There is a new teacher evaluation system out and I'm determined to average 3.5 or higher out of 4.  I've been planning engaging lessons, reading different blogs and sites, and studying MSTAR and Common Core.  I'm really excited about all of it.  Hopefully the excitement won't die down before the end of the 1st 9 week grading period.  We'll see how this goes...

*Disclaimer* High school teachers love their students just as much as elementary and middle school teachers love their kids.  We just have a different way of showing it.  Felt the need to clear that up. 

Have a great year teacher friends!