Okay, Boys and Girls

It's time for the new-teacher-freak-out moment of the day!

::deep sigh::

I don't doubt that I've been called to the position for which I applied and accepted when it was offered to me: an English teacher at Gilmer High School. I just don't feel prepared, though. I don't have a degree in education. I've never read any of the books we'll be reading this year save one (and it's not even a book but Julius Caesar). I have a lot of good ideas that may actually turn out to be corny to the kids. I've thought of ways the kids can earn no homework and ways they can be recognized for their good grades. I have some great bulletin board ideas. I've designed a bookmark to hand out to them one of the first days of schools. I have made birthday and Christmas cards to hand out at the appropriate times of year (something my high school teachers never did).
I reallywant my students to feel like I see them as individuals andd not just as students (if the difference is even clear there). And I really think that it is very possible for my kids to learn and make good grades and retain what they've learned without having that much homework (other than novel reading). That said, I don't want to have a reptation of being an easy teacher, one who is easily run over. But I do want my students to know I will do all I can within reason to see that they succeed.

::rant transmission complete::
(for now)