Willkommen!

My name is Bethany, I prefer to be called either Frau or Trudi, I’m 33, in my 6th year of teaching, and will be teaching German 1, German 2, German 3, German 4 and Geometry, advising German Club, participating in various committees, and trying to balance a lifestyle! This blog will chronicle my progress, the ups and downs, what works for me organizationally, and what doesn’t work!

If you are familiar with the True Colors inventory, you know that when I say I’m all Orange that I might be in for a long year. Teaching 4 preps required enough organization that I could handle it – adding another is daunting. So, I started brainstorming ideas for making my life 1) easier and 2) fun enough to keep my interested. I knew that the first thing that had to go was the lesson planning book that we’re issued. *yawn* I picked up a scrapbooking album, made a template of a lesson planner, and put together my own. Fun, funky, colorful… and it has the page protector sheets to use for wrangling little pieces of paper, handouts that need to be photocopied, meeting agendas, etc. On each week I put an inspirational quote – things that move me and speak to me, as well as a sidebar for notes, ideas, etc. I’m hoping it will be as functional as it is funky. I also have a page to help remind me of why I teach – pictures, funny quotes from past students, etc. I know there will be the days when I’ll wonder why I’m in a professional that is so emotionally demanding, and there will be my answer.

I’ve found Facebook to be a great tool in the past year – kids use it constantly (often in class, much to my chagrine!). Last year it was used mainly for German Club – posting of events, notices, etc. This year I’d like to create groups for each level, complete with calendars, events, walls, etc.

So, goals for this year…

• Regular meals (this is a hard one for me actually)
• Gym 3 times/week
• Leaving each Friday by 3:30
• Having a lesson for the next day, complete with all copies made, when I leave every day
• Having an outline for the following week (basic notes of what needs to be covered, etc) when I leave on Friday
• Creating and USING a filing system to keep handouts, well, handy. I’m too guilty of losing entire class sets of copies!
• When I leave on Friday, being able to see my desk!
• Getting quizzes back the next day, tests back within 3 days, and essays back in a week
• Being able to be conscious enough of my planning to not overbook when planning tests, quizzes and essays.
• Have my German Club officers have more responsibility. To do this, I would like to assign each officer to plan an event for a specific month – a holiday celebration, cooking, a movie afternoon with popcorn and treats, whatever, and have them in charge of the entire planning.
• Not feel guilty when I need to loosen up on the reins a bit. I can’t control everything. Must not try.

On the upside, this has allowed me to indulge my love of fun office supplies! No more manilla filing folders for me! Woohoo!