A Return to Middle School

So you know how people are always saying that the last thing they would want to do is relive middle school? That's what I do everyday! For those of you who don't know, I'm just finishing up my second week as a 7th grade history teacher. My school is called Providence Hall Jr. High. It's an IB school, which basically means that all the teachers are required to add a world view into their lessons. For example, I teach Utah history, so I've been teaching Utah geology/geography, and then I I follow up with basic geology and world geography. As I wouldn't have chosen to teach Utah history--it's great being able to broaden the curriculum into something a bit more interesting.

Here is the school 23 days before the first day

This is Providence Hall Jr. High's first year (new building and everything--although there is a Providence Hall Elementary down the street), and it's been really interesting to be there as school procedures, curriculum (as this is Utah's first IB school) and even bell schedules are worked out. (I think we're on our fourth bell schedule already.) The administration as well as the other teachers I work with are all amazing, and I can honestly say I would want my kids to go to this type of a school.

My greatest fear about starting to actually teach, was that I wouldn't really know what I was doing, but I feel really good about everything. I'm better than I expected at learning names, I've been staying ahead on my lesson plans, and I've been having fun. I guess I really did choose the right major! Whoo!

Me in my classroom the weekend before the first day.

trying to get ready

View of my finished classroom from the door

From the back of the room

Providence Hall (finished)

View of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple from my school.

Grass growing on the rugby field