Getting Organized

It feels like I'm getting settled into a routine. Of course, come Monday, when classes start, it will change again. For now, though, the first part of my day is spent in training and workshopping sessions, then I work independently on my syllabus and other school and home to-do's. When we get home, I cook dinner, then we watch the Olympics. It's good to have a routine again. And, I feel like I'm starting to feel ready to start teaching. I think my syllabus is in pretty good shape; it's due on Thursday morning. Thankfully, we just have to plan out the details of our first unit--about 5 weeks. I've already decided on topics for the final two units and chosen some of the readings, but it does seem wise to wait on putting the details together until I've had some actual classroom experience. It's hard to know if I'm assigning too much or too little homework or if I've prepared enough activities for the class...So the first unit will be a trial run in a lot of ways, but I hope the students won't know that. The way it is set up, though, with the advisor and small group to work with for support throughout the semester, will be really helpful. It's also nice to have already made friends. And I'll be seeing these people in the classes I'm taking as well as working with them as fellow English 101 teachers. I got my teaching assignments yesterday--I'll be teaching on MWF from 1-3pm (two 50 minute classes). That seems like a pretty good schedule, especially since my classes are in the same room, which is in the Modern Languages building, so that's about as convenient as it gets. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for a resolution to a scheduling conflict between the Preceptorship (mandatory weekly meeting for new GAT's) and a class required for my program. Once they figure that out, my schedule will be set. It's a lot more fluid than any schedule I've ever had, so I'm hoping to be able to take advantage of that. Anyway, I think things are coming together...Hopefully next week will go smoothly.