The start of the new school year

So today was my official first day of work although I had a meeting on Fri and yesterday. Today I got to meet all of the teachers. On Mon I only met with the new teachers and on Fri I only met some of the teachers in the math department. It wasn't to bad because they didn't complain like some of the teachers in my other school. The all staff meeting also went really fast because the schedule decisions were already made. The principal just had to go over the previous rules and review already established procedures. Now that is cool. In my other school we would spend days trying to decide our bell schedule that should have already been established before the school year started. So far things seem to be going well.

The only thing that kinda makes me nervous is all the high expectations they have of me. I am not quit sure what they expect from me but I know it is a lot. My bro A told me that when the assistant principal called my old school he didn't only call my references. He also spoke to the school secretary and other teachers. Funny because nobody told me anything. Only one of the teachers in the math department that is my friend told me she spoke with him. She knew I had the job before I did because he told her that he was going to offer me the position. He also liked her so much that he wanted her. I told her she should have taken him up on his offer. It would have been great to be with somebody I already felt comfortable with and she is a great teacher.

So my brother said that the secretary told him that I always staid 2 hrs after school and it made him think of Jaime Escalante. I not even close to being as good as he is. I am always available for my students if they need me. I just feel that it is part of my job. You don't always get told that you are appreciated but that is just the nature of the business. After hearing this from my brother I just felt that I was eventhough nobody said anything. I just thought that nobody even noticed. I guess they do.

On a side not though from SadRomeo's post it is true that your boss doesn't acknowledge the work that you do but other people truly appreciate you. I know I thought what is going to happen to our department when I leave. Many good teachers had left that truly cared for the students and were willing to take their own time without pay to be with them. Many good teachers are still there at the school but for how long? How much longer will they stay there and be willing to be taken advantage of? And if they do stay, will they dedicate as much time as they did before? You see people give their all because it is part of their beliefs. I know it is mine. I don't feel right if I have not given my all. I feel like I have not done my job. Yet, every one has a breaking point and they will not give as much as they did before. I don't think there is anything wrong with that because there has to be a point when someone give back to you. They cannot always take. So, I don't think that my old department will fall apart somebody else will pick up the work but now there are less people willing to make the extra effort. That is not good but it is what it is. There are very few people now a days willing to go the extra mile without some extra compensation and that makes me sad.

Oh yeah, on another note Charlie got his drivers license last Tuesday. Yey!