End of the year drawing near

This week is final exams here at Lindblom Math & Science Academy and the last full week of our academic year. This has been an amazing experience for me overall and I'm even more excited for next year as I was for this year.

I think I did fairly well teaching "up" from my previous experience. It was of course a multi-faceted challenge. I had to adjust to block scheduling and the balanced calendar. I taught US History; a course I've never taught before. I had to teach all of my classes at the honors level. I had to adjust to a new school culture, learn new faces and names, and learn to trust that I am in a supportive and professional faculty where I don't need to fear the whims of those in power.

I'm very pleased with how my students have done overall. I think the majority of my sophomores are prepared for advanced history electives. I think most of my freshmen have developed strong study and research skills and are ready for Honors US History. I certainly hope my students are better aware of current events after all the quizzes I gave them this year.

Next year promises to be as challenging as this one. To start, I am teaching Economics; a class I have never taught before. I have a lot of studying to do to get ready for that class. Fortunately, another teacher is also teaching Econ and I can rely on some of his experience. It will be a challenge but I'm taking a positive view that I might be able to do it really well. I also get to teach History of Chicago which I am really looking forward to. Teaching two electives to mostly juniors and seniors will be a great experience here I think.

I am so very thankful that I landed this position here. I can't think of a better environment to be teaching in. I can't wait to see what happens next.