Today was a no kid day because of conferences, which were on Tuesday and Thursday.

#howdidtheygo

Honestly, I love parent-teacher conferences. It’s that time you get to talk up someone’s kid or you get to have a tough conversation. Either way, it’s always an adventure, especially when you don’t know the language! I had at least six different translators in my room, which is always a treat. I had a couple of kids (one translated for his mom which was fun) and the rest adults in some capacity. This year’s conferences have really pointed out to me the problem of being an English speaker with a majority of my students speaking English as a second language. I love it. The diversity is making me work harder, but damn, I’m tired! šŸ™‚

#truedat

Today was a professional development day, which is always tough on the day after a conference, but we did it.

We talked about ML students (multilingual learners) and the matrix that is used to decide if they need more intervention, more time, or if they need to be referred to special education services. It was pretty cool to see what our ML teachers go through each time we are wondering about one of our students.

I worked with some teachers in a program called “Stop the Bleed”, which taught us how to stop an uncontrolled bleed. We did some work with this during an online session last year, but having things in person, getting to practice what we are learning is always a better thing.

My team had the chance to work together on our math, working through an upcoming assessment, checking to see where there might be issues, and trying to find fixes for those problems. I worked closely with my grade partner and realized just how much I’ll miss her next year as she moves into a new position in a different district.

#sowhatistheproblem

We did a “collaboration activity”.

#ugh

I know. I’m an introvert. I’m a quiet guy and don’t let too much out. I’ve become more so as I’ve gotten older, always being careful with my words. Yes, in my previous position, where I’d taught for 24 years, I felt comfortable with people. Our middle school was pretty tight. I knew some of the elementary teachers and never saw the high school ones. Here, we are all on one campus, which is pretty cool, but there’s a road dividing the elementary from the middle and high school. That road seemed like the Grand Canyon because we never see each other.

Until today.

We got put into groups, and I got put with people I really don’t know. That creates HUGE anxiety for me. I’m not that “talk to anybody” guy. It was only a 30 minute activity, but damn, I was so uncomfortable. It was wonderful outside, the walk was great. My group was fine, but I know it’s me. I’m the problem; it’s me. I know I’ll express my distaste in the feedback, but people have already talked about doing this again.

#sigh

Yup.

We’ll swallow and do it again.

And the introvert in me will cringe.