Time for my annual post.
This past year has flown by. Between teaching and coaching, I barely have a moment to spare. I love reading about all of your life updates, it's about time I return the favor.
As I mentioned in my last post, my school district adopted a new math curriculum. Although I like our book and all the technology resources that come along with it, I feel like a first year teacher for the second year in a row. Instead of coasting a bit on pre-created resources, we're making everything up from scratch. Needless to say, it's been a year of trials and errors, but overall it's going well.
In addition to a new curriculum, I was promoted to the head varsity cheer coach for the local high school. Between school, practice and traveling (we go to all home/away football and basketball games and cheer at home wrestling meets.)
The spare time I do have is spent with my husband and our two fur children watching tv, playing games or reading a good book.
That's the briefest update possible, but maybe you'll get a couple of pictures in the next post. I hope it won't be over a year from now, but I know myself too well to promise you anything!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Update
Time for my annual post.
This past year has flown by. Between teaching and coaching, I barely have a moment to spare. I love reading about all of your life updates, it's about time I return the favor.
As I mentioned in my last post, my school district adopted a new math curriculum. Although I like our book and all the technology resources that come along with it, I feel like a first year teacher for the second year in a row. Instead of coasting a bit on pre-created resources, we're making everything up from scratch. Needless to say, it's been a year of trials and errors, but overall it's going well.
In addition to a new curriculum, I was promoted to the head varsity cheer coach for the local high school. Between school, practice and traveling (we go to all home/away football and basketball games and cheer at home wrestling meets.)
The spare time I do have is spent with my husband and our two fur children watching tv, playing games or reading a good book.
That's the briefest update possible, but maybe you'll get a couple of pictures in the next post. I hope it won't be over a year from now, but I know myself too well to promise you anything!
This past year has flown by. Between teaching and coaching, I barely have a moment to spare. I love reading about all of your life updates, it's about time I return the favor.
As I mentioned in my last post, my school district adopted a new math curriculum. Although I like our book and all the technology resources that come along with it, I feel like a first year teacher for the second year in a row. Instead of coasting a bit on pre-created resources, we're making everything up from scratch. Needless to say, it's been a year of trials and errors, but overall it's going well.
In addition to a new curriculum, I was promoted to the head varsity cheer coach for the local high school. Between school, practice and traveling (we go to all home/away football and basketball games and cheer at home wrestling meets.)
The spare time I do have is spent with my husband and our two fur children watching tv, playing games or reading a good book.
That's the briefest update possible, but maybe you'll get a couple of pictures in the next post. I hope it won't be over a year from now, but I know myself too well to promise you anything!
Monday, January 3, 2011
I'm aliiiiiiive!!!
Yes, I know I am overwhelmingly overdue for an update. Since July 28th, my life has blasted forward. I'm no longer a college student but am, in fact, struggling to fit into my big-girl panties (both literally and figuratively, unfortunately). Let's see if I can give you a brief update on the last 6 months.
- Successfully completed and defended my Master's portfolio. My last name is now Banka, M.S. :)
- Began my first year teaching 7th grade math in a Wichita area school district.
- Began my first year coaching Junior Varsity Cheerleading at my district's highschool.
- Struggled keeping a healthy balance between work and real life. My obsessive compulsive tendencies resulted in many late nights and long weekends (much to my husband's chagrin).
- Realized, after much introspection, that things do not need to be perfect and imperfection actually saves me from insanity.
- Came to terms with my unrealistic ambitions for my first year. As much as I try to believe that I am superwoman, I am a mere mortal. I've learned just how much I have to focus on the administrative side of teaching--getting my procedures, expectations and grading techniques perfected-- rather than orchestrating creative, hands-on lessons.
- Have not cooked a new meal in... well... six months and thus resort to pre-made, quick meals, soup or *gasp* cereal for my hubby's and my dining pleasure.
- Have not been able to establish an exercise routine. Both items #7 and #8 result in my literal struggle to squeeze into my big-girl panties. *ugh*
- Failed to contribute to my personal and professional learning networks. I hope my Twitter friends will excuse my prolonged absence as I pick their brains over the summer in preparation for next year.
- Excited to adopt a new textbook and design a more engaging, hands-on curriculum for next and future years.
Even with all the ups and downs these past six months provided, I wholeheartedly believe I am where I need to be. When everything around me is new, it is such a comforting feeling to realize I am doing what I was made to do. There are days when I come home dead-tired, defeated and deflated... days when I wonder, "What the heck am I doing? Is it ever going to be any easier?" Yet there are many more days when I am uplifted by the bright and challenging young minds that fill my classroom. It's these days--the days when I spend 12 hours at school and a 30 minute commute dedicated to school-- that I actually look forward to the next grueling day.
Now that I've successfully waisted an hour or so writing this entry (while watching K-State dominate in their basketball game), I do have some school work I need to do :)
I can't promise I will update my blog more frequently, but I promise I will try.
Hope all of you are doing well wherever you are!
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