Empty or Overflowing? Your Choice.

My classroom - sort of...

Today was my first day of work for the city. We had a long day of orientation (benefits, network accounts, etc.) and also got to go on a bus tour of the city to see where our kids live. I have probably the highest poverty school in the district and it is super diverse. At least 20% of the children are English as a second language learners!

After district happenings, a nice woman I met at orientation and I went over to school so I could see my room. She is now a fourth grade teacher at the school but has volunteered and worked as an assistant (I believe) for many years. She'll be a great resource (and we have the same name!) My school is old - it was the first school in the city to purposely be desegregated. I don't have fancy furniture or materials. But I do have a lot of STUFF. The teacher who had my room before had worked for TWENTY-SEVEN years in kindergarten. Isn't that amazing?!?! The patience required is incredible.

The empty portion of the room... windowless with some old furniture!

Holy cow, Batman! There are at least five bookshelves that look like this. YIKES!

But, after twenty-seven years you tend to accumulate a lot of materials. Anything purchased with school money belongs to the school and was left behind. Along with twelve filing cabinet drawers full of papers. To say the least - I was TOTALLY overwhelmed. Half of the room was empty and the other half packed with furniture stacked on top of furniture. The main furniture already has a home, but I want to move some things around to better suit my personality and teaching style. It will be a challenge. I have no clue how I am going to have this room ready for a bunch of kindergartners in less than two weeks. Lots of nights I suppose! I am thankful I have so many materials, but I have no idea what is where. I just sat and stared... And then I came home to be with Christopher. :-) He has to work tomorrow so I can labor on my room then!

I got fingerprinted today and the man was rolling my left ring finger and said, "WHOA! Congratulations! Wooowee, ma'am, he must have worked a lot of overtime to buy something that pretty." I love strangers. :-D

More orientation tomorrow - benefits (hooray) and blah blah blah. We also have district orientation next week too so very little time for classroom work! I have procured Steph's help for the long haul. Hehe.

BUBBY COMES TO VISIT FRIDAY NIGHT!!