Rethinking Education (by Natalia)

I have recently started a job as a permanent substitute in a 6th grade classroom (by permanent I mean I will be teaching there for the rest of the school year.) It has been an interesting experience and I wanted to share some thoughts.
First of all, there are many challenges with taking over a class in the middle of the year. The past couple of days I have been really drained and down and wondering if I can do this. The students wouldn't take me seriously, it felt like pulling teeth to be able to get them to do anything, etc.
When I was first assigned to the job, I was worried about creating normalcy for the students and consistency. I wanted to make things the way they were with their previous teacher. However, come to find out, I was failing miserably. I think the teacher I worked with during student teaching had rubbed off on me and I was actually doing things his way.
I realized that, now that this is my class for the rest of the year, I need to make it my own. I need to teach according to my teaching style, make the room mine, and be myself. I was too busy trying to be someone else before.
So this weekend I have been rethinking education. I have turned the room upside down (it is pretty empty right now) and will arrange the furniture and bulletin boards my way. I have also been thinking about my teaching style and how to implement that into my teaching this year.
I am really excited about some of my ideas and now I have new energy to do what I need to do. I also think that my attitude is reflected in the kids, so when I am more comfortable (and even happy) in what I am doing, they will be too.
I love teaching! And I am grateful for this challenging opportunity when I finally get to do things my way.