Happy Tuesday, friends!
For those that don’t know, I am an 8th grade math teacher. I love teaching. I love how every day is a new day. Middle school students keep life fun and interesting!
I thought I would start a popular segment on my blog called Teacher Tuesday. I plan to share some funny stories, organizational tips, you name it. But being a teacher is a huge part of who I am and would love to share more about that on here!
Today, I wanted to answer some questions I’ve gotten before specifically about teaching.
–WHAT ARE SOME TIPS YOU HAVE TO KEEP EVERYTHING RUNNING SMOOTHLY UNTIL SUMMER?
Planning and Organizing! In order to survive the year, you have to have a great plan on how and when you will cover all your standards. I plan the order of every unit I need to cover throughout the whole year at the beginning of the year in August. Then once school starts, I plan a month of lessons in advance, but not with a lot of detail. Just the basic standard and objective I need to teach. Lastly, I never leave on Friday until I have everything for the next week planned precisely, copies made, grades put in, etc. I never let things get out of control and always stay on top of everything with planning and organizing. This helps the school year go smoothly.
–HOW DO YOU FIND TIME FOR YOURSELF TO RECHARGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY?
My co-workers! I always make it a point to get out of my classroom during lunch and go and visit my co-workers. My hall-mates are wonderful and I look forward to the time with them every day talking about life and non-related school stuff. This helps me keep my sanity!
–WHAT DO MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS WISH PARENTS KNEW/DID?
It is not our job to raise your kid. In today’s world, I feel like parents think it’s our job to raise their kids. It is not! I am hired to teach them math. Also, middle school kids will try to get out of anything and everything. Please support teachers and have their back and believe us when we say little Johnny didn’t do his homework the night before.
–HOW DO YOU NOT GET OVERWHELMED WITH YOUR KIDS EXTRACURRICULARS AND YOUR TEACHER DUTIES? I’M STRESSING OUT!
I made a rule a long time ago that after 3:00 I am no longer Mrs. Bolin, but am Elizabeth and Emily’s mom. I don’t take school things home. If I can’t get it done during the school day, I will get to it the next day. Life is too short to cheat my girls out of having their mom completely around.
–WILL YOU EVER TEACH A DIFFERENT SUBJECT OTHER THAN MATH?
No, but I hope to become a principal soon!
-WHAT IS YOUR CELL PHONE POLICY?
Absolutely no cell phones out during the school day at all. If we see the kids with a phone, they will get a detention. If a cell phone goes off in my class, they will get a detention. I like that we still make the kids have actual conversations at lunch and don’t allow the to have cell phones out.
Well, that’s all for today! Hope y’all have a great Tuesday!
We only have 20 more school days left, so we are READY!
I really wish our schools had a similar phone policy. It makes me sad when I volunteer to do something at lunch and see everyone on their phones. I totally agree about getting out of your classroom. Lunch with the other teachers was always a good break in my day back when I was teaching.