Location: Sitting cross-legged on my bed facing a view of my open window, some bushes (trees perhaps? I'm not sure. It IS the tundra...) blowing in the wind, and a tall (whopping 50 ft.) communication tower against a very gray, yet bright sky.
Current Conflict: Finding out that eating dinner while starving AND hyperventilating is difficult.
So why not try typing, while eating, and trying to relax after a day of getting the classroom ready for a new school year?
Nearing Conflict: Successfully managing a classroom full of students for the entire first day of school.
I don't feel like I've been nervous up until this point, so this feeling is getting to me.
I'll back up. I arrived back in Alakanuk last Wednesday. On my way, my excitement to be back in the village increased with every stop. Anchorage, Aniak, St. Mary's, and finally Alakanuk!
Home, Sweet, Home. No one was there to pick me up, but I had my duffel bag, my gun gas, and a frozen tote of food so I hitched a ride with some construction workers. The dust was swirling so thick, it was hard to see. If you didn't shut your mouth and squint your eyes, that dirt didn't feel too good. Then, no one was at the house so I walked to the school to pick up my key. The best part of returning to Alakanuk this fall was the hugs-- tight, genuine, loving hugs. (They're still continuing as I continue to see familiar faces.)
We have three very enthusiastic, caring staff members on board with us. They already are fitting in with the community well and excited to learn more of the culture to relate to their students better. Plus, we have many new district administration and returning veterans who are collaborating and offering their unique skills to help our kids. I'm excited that these students will continue to get better education.
Starting last week, we had three days of inservice to learn about more strategies to reach our high population of English Language Learners, a more standardized reading assessment with a thorough comprehension piece, and a new reward incentive program to promote good behavior and attendance. These last two days were dedicated to working in our classroom, but I spent quite a bit of time in multiple meetings for IEPs (Individualized Educational Plan or Program for students with special needs), reading assessments, etc.
As I chat with two other fellow teachers, Jamie and Sammy, I am starting to forget to breathe again. I just heard we're going to have an assembly at 9:15 A.M. tomorrow which means I'll need to switch the Student First Day Survey to after our P.E. so I can quickly have the kids discuss and practice hallway and assembly expectations. I am a firm believer in getting it right on the first day of school. I will show them the picture of the previous class lining up perfectly on the first day of school and see if this class can do better.
Meanwhile I am trying not to feel nervous about the comments of my class being "probably the roughest class in the school this year" and a certain native aide stating, "You better have a trooper in there." after I showed her my class list. Positive thoughts! :) I'm up for the challenge. I have very structured, yet doable lessons just about ready for tomorrow.
And as my stomach grumbles, I'm off to eat some more leftovers, and probably take a nice bubble bath and sleep so I can focus for tomorrow. (It's sometimes hard to focus in the village when the cops are outside my house visiting the neighbors across the street AND the power just went off and back on.)
Below are pictures taken from a walk a couple days ago. Later, I'll try upload before and after pictures while working to get my classroom ready.
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| Walking to the airport a couple days ago. |
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| Most of our rock is imported from Nome by a barge. |
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| Sometimes I see beavers and muskrats here. |
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| All are low-quality pictures with my phone. |
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| Fireweed. |
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| Pretty little plants. |
