#13 "get a "real" full-time teaching job"

Okay , so technically I've already crossed this off the list, but this is my blog, after all, so I get to make the rules.  On July 21, at 7 a.m., I got a call from the school secretary at Cane Bay Elementary, where I subbed and taught in the spring last year.  She asked me to come to the school to speak to the principal, and asked when I'd be able to do that.  I told her I'd be there by 8:00 and jumped out of bed to get ready. (Of course I had to wake up the whole house first to tell them where I was going!).

When I got to the school, the secretary walked me back to the principal's office, and as we were sitting down at the table in the office, she asked me if my certification was in Early Childhood. I said yes, and before I even got all the way into the chair, she asked me if I would like a CDEPP job.  Although I wanted to scream, I just said yes, but then was confused because I knew the two CDEPP teachers and that they were both coming back to the school...apparently though, one of them had gotten a job as a curriculum coach at another school and now the job was MINE :) 


CDEPP is a program for academically at-risk four-year-olds from low-income families.  We have a cap of 20 students and a waiting list so that when one student leaves, the next student starts the following week.  Our focus is on getting these students caught up so they will be prepared for kindergarten next year. 

I had been hoping all summer that something would open up at Cane Bay because I loved the semester I spent there. The administration at the school is tirelessly devoted seeing student success and that has been proven by the dramatic increase in student scores on MAP testing, PASS testing, and by our school making  AYP last year, a feat matched only by 9/32 schools in the district.  I am so excited to be on staff at a school that puts students' needs first and does anything necessary to meet them.

Enough about the school though, and onto my classroom!

Front of the room...sand table in the background

Reading Corner

Student Computers

Writing Center

Housekeeping Center...Eventually will have dress up and food items.

Daily Picture Schedule

Paws for the student to learn to line up

Community Center

Block Center

Front of the room

I was extremely nervous about teaching four-year-olds.  Although I'm Early Childhood certified, I student taught in third grade, and that was the grade I taught for a while last year.  I didn't know how I would translate all that I've learned from those experiences into my new class, however, now that the first week is over and I've met all my students, I know that I can do this! I love my students and as soon as some of them get over the "homesick" thing and stop crying off and on all day, I think we'll really be able to get a lot accomplished! I am so excited to see what this year will bring, and to watch my little babies learn new things!!!