I got up way earlier than I needed this morning and wound up twiddling my thumbs for quite a while before I actually had to leave for work.  I wish I could say that things were really exciting and wonderful things happened.  Really, though, I spent most of the day organizing and arranging tons of books, many of which probably hadn't been moved in quite a long time.  I made a pile of books to get rid of that would have made any of Orwell's firemen giddy with anticipation.  For a program that doesn't give homework, I don't think many of the students will be reading monographs on feminist theory or forty year-old examinations of medieval village life.  Though I am sure many of the books I'm getting rid of have some value, that value would best be found elsewhere.

I was encouraged to find out that the lead teacher (who is also a social studies teacher) has read decent sized books with the students for previous classes.  Though these are not honor students that I'll be working with, the impression I have gotten is that there will be at least some effort and even more that there will be some respect - something that was sorely missing at Project Achieve.  I haven't gotten a chance to visit with any of the students for more than a few moments, but they seem like good kids for the most part.

No, the day wasn't exciting, but I am excited to be there.

I found out too, that I will be able to teach any classes I want.  Though I haven't had a lot of time to think about it yet, I think I'd like to do a geography class, and maybe a current events class (reviewing the election, the transition to a new administration, Afghanistan, energy, etc.).  We'll see though.  Fortunately, I've got about two months before I actually start teaching those classes.  Until then I'll be observing and helping out other teachers.  I imagine that I will start my computer lab class before too long though.  That shouldn't be too difficult.

One of the best things, though, is that I have my own classroom that I can do with what I like.  So I'm thinking of things to put on my walls, resources I want to use.  I have money to purchase things too!  Oh excitement.  One thing I'd really like is an oversized world map that can be written on with markers and then erased.  That would be a lot of fun I think.

Well, day one is over.  Staff development tomorrow.  MEA Thursday and then driving north to relax and attend a wedding on da Range.  Not too bad.

Simple pleasure - PBS
Peace