My first impression. Modern classrooms are much more chaotic than when I was in school. Kids moving around, kids talking while the teacher is lecturing, kids with their heads down on the desk... To top it off, a kid brought a prank gun to school. It looked like a 1/3rd size revolver with a real laser scope and when you pulled the trigger it shocked you (not horribly, like a 9 volt shock). She got herself suspended for that little stunt. Literally the second teacher I meet is this guy coming into my mentor's classroom with this thing in his hand asking her what he needed to do (new teacher)... I know it's controlled chaos, but everything just seems so...disorganized. It was quite surreal. 

minus the gun, it sounds alot like my school memories! lol If they get that you're not taking any sh-t right away, most of that school go away-where's your school? 

I meant to say "should", not "school"- sorry! Didn't mean to confuse you- 

Didn't mean to confuse you- No worries. I figured. I'm not divulging where the school is though. Let's just say, wish I could carry. 

I have a feeling you'll do just fine- 

Are you observing or have you already reached the stage where you are teaching a lesson? I love the silent stare at those who are doing something of which I disapprove. It is hard not to laugh when I hear someone whisper to the other "She is giving you THAT look." Good luck! What grade? 

Sounds like a blast. I want to do that rather than coach later on, probably more rewarding. Truly valuable, money isn't everything. Money is really unimportant in the scope of life. Good Luck! 

Are you observing or have you already reached the stage where you are teaching a lesson? After the FIRST DAY??? I don't think so. Though if I had a lesson plan and prepared for it I'm sure I could have. I expect I'll be teaching next week. It's 6th grade Language arts. 

dont they now have classroom in a box? jus pop the kid in front of a puter and let em lern whats r wrld comin 2? 

dont they now have classroom in a box? OH, that's coming. I'm sure. Leapfrog is developing learning games for all the handheld game systems. 

It's 6th grade Language arts.  That explains the behavior. Hormones make things quite interesting. My DD brings home interesting stories about what the ding dongs have done. 

My best friend is a middle school math teacher. She has stories that will curl your toes. If I had kids there is no way I would let them go to public school. 

Wow, middle school. You're brave. I remember when I was in middle school and the absolutely insane things we did -- yelling earth quake and everyone in the class diving under their desks. Or flood and everyone standing on thier desks, throwing pennies at our French teacher, lighting things on fire ... and I was a good kids. Much luck to ya! 

Wow I wonder where the heck ya'll went to school. When I was in Middle School, it was called Jr. High. We had 7, 8, and 9th grades in one school. Our teachers and administration tolerated nothing. Not once in 3 years was there ever a fight in the halls or any where else on campus. It just wasn't tolerated. And if you got in trouble in school, it was safer to run away from home. Cause your parents would tear you up when you got home. You knew if you had a problem with another child, your parent would take you to their house. lol Maybe that is why we never had this nonsense. You went to school to learn. And we respected our teachers, and we darn sure respected our parents. My mom wasn't worried about being my best friend. She was my parent. And if you got up in class it was because you were leaving the classroom. Kids need structure to learn. And consistency too. Otherwise we are doing the kids a huge disservice. Cause the real world is not going to cater to them. 

After the FIRST DAY??? I don't think so. I was asked to do a mini lesson in one of my subjects. I think I was thrown to the wolves! 

Not once in 3 years was there ever a fight in the halls or any where else on campus. LOL.. round about 13 I realized I was bigger than the bullies... oh the damage I caused... In High School there were ...three people who would always be involved in a fight... at least once a week... Me and Sister were two of those... (and my sister was meaner than I ever was!) I will start actually teaching next week. 

My Jr. High principle and vice principle DID NOT PLAY! If girls did not wear sock/stockings/tights every day (even with sandals) you would get a paddling. I didn't the last day of 9th grade. Yep, got 10 swats!