Before
After
After countless hours of working in my classroom it was finally ready. I think I worked (for free) about 10 days, plus the one day that I spent in court all day to testify for one of my student's in a custody battle. It always amazes me the conditions in which teachers are expected to accomplish a great task. If I had not gone into work for 10 days my student's would have walked into the room in photos #1-4. Can you imagine? I spent another 2 - 3 days on the hunt for the cheapest school supplies for my new friends. I went to Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Walmart, and Target on the hunt to find pencils, glue, and folders for as cheap as possible. Do you know they do not supply teachers with pencils and paper? Who could imagine?? Our school system is currently being 'taken over' by the state because we haven't met AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) on our standardized tests...No Child Left Behind. I wonder if it has ever occurred to these 'higher ups' to maybe give teachers some ding dang paper and pencils????? Don't get me started about working conditions, technology, and appropriate textbooks for every child?Disclaimer: We do get $100 for "setting our room up early"...by my calculations that is about $1.00/hour, they are so nice! We also get $300 for supplies throughout the school year. I spend about $1,000 a year, from beginning to end...that's only $700 of my own money, not too bad I guess. So I probably have it better than most places. The first year of teaching, I spent probably $3,000-5,000 on stuff to get started....making a grand total of $21,000/year!!!!! I wish I had kept a total. Each year since then my expenses have gone down. Tip for any new teachers out there: Don't do what I did.
I also work at a school that ROCKS and my principal is the BEST person you could ever meet. So even if they cut my pitiful salary in half I would still work there...well maybe I'd have to make more money, but you get the point! I LOVE my school and... bonus this year I think I will actually LOVE my students!
The first week of school went by quickly. I have 22 new friends and they seem to be a very likable group...I may not have to break up any gang activity this year (yes in third grade)! My parents seem nice and supportive.
4 comments:
Oh Amy~ You're room is SO adorable. I love the popcorn theme. I don't remember my teachers doing cute stuff for us. :) If I lived in your school district I would request that my child was in your class!
I know what you mean about improper supplies, books, etc... My mom was a teacher (retired) and she always told us the same stories. And I remember helping her get the room ready for the school year and she didn't get paid for it. Teachers definitely should make more money!
You are so sweet :)
You must be an awesome (or should I say an aMAZEing teacher?) - couldn't resist!
My teachers never did anything like that for us.
Did you see the Oprah's favorite things where the entire audience was made up of teachers? You should have been there!
It is really baffling that people on TV make so much, yet you're educating the future and aren't given enough for supplies. Very backwards, don't you think??
Hey Amy~
I just left you a "blogger award" on my blog. Check it out.
Jill
Hi there!
I found your blog by way of Danielle's as I am ready for a blog makeover.
I am a public school teacher, too and can feel your pain.
We are being taken over by the state, too. You wouldn't happen to teach in Nashville?
Your blog looks great.
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