Teachers return to Work!

The following week, August 17-21, was spent in workshops to learn how to operate the new technology, more Kaagan Cooperative Learning Method training, more Mind Map training, How to operate CSCOPE, Email, and more. The school district providedbreakfast the first day with an orientation meeting and encouragement. We got to see a gentleman speak on the use of computer blogs and media presentation within the classrooms. The remainder of the week was spent on our campus learning procedures, information we needed, and the final two days working in our rooms and with our departments in planning Orientation.
We did not get the Rosters for our classes until Sunday, so I was up on Sunday doing some finishing up. Without the rosters I was told to plan for 150 students for the first few days with copies. On Sunday when I went up I was able to orientate more and get make sure I had everything ready.
I have to applaud Dr. Cunningham who taught me clasroom management at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and Dr. Bolick who was my supervising professor for field basing.
Dr. Cunningham taught us a multitutde of information for classroom management and it has been a God Send! She told us, if your classroom management is in place and working from Day 1, you will have a much easier life. She was absolutely correct. Dr. Bolick emphasized this and that we should over plan for each day. Having more than what can be done is better than have large amounts of time not planned for and students just sitting. When students sit, they misbehave. Also, Dr. Bolick told us to have comfortable shoes and take two pairs. One for the morning and one for the afternoon. She was right. I had terrible shoes the first three days. We are required to stay on our feet while the students are present and teach, move around the room. But we are always on our feet. Between classes, we stand in the hallway and monitor students and greet those coming into our room. My feet after the first three days were throbbing, and swollen. we do not have tiled floors. They are glazed concrete floors. I used my last 30.00 to purchase a good comfortable, supportive pair and my feet are better now.
The first week with only teachers there went well.