I just finished my 17th year of teaching, so my first year of teaching was quite a while ago. I know I was young, and I was excited to be starting out as a teacher. I was sure I was going to make a difference in the lives of so many students. Ha, Ha, Ha. I was young and naive. 

The year I started in my school district about half of us were first year teachers, so my mentor teacher was on her second year (and in a completely different part of the building.) The sweet, amazing principal that hired me for my first job passed away that summer, and I was never able to work with her. We went through 2 part-time principals that first year. So my co-workers and I figured things out on our own. It wasn't easy, but we found our way. 

I remember during my first year I planned out a fancy science experiment for one of my first observations. The experiment turned out to be a total mess, and it didn't go as planned. #rookiemistake 

Setting up the Classroom Requires lots of Help!

It's a little dark, but this was my first classroom.

I've been very blessed to work in an amazing school with wonderful people. I love my job! I don't remember a whole lot about my first year, but those "kids" that I taught are all adults now. I've heard about some of the amazing things that they are doing now, and hopefully I was a small part of what brought them to where they are today. 

Don't forget to join us each week all summer long as we share our Teacher Tidbits. The schedule is below so you can join along if you like, just add the hashtag #teachertidbittuesday so we can find you!