You want me to teach... what?

I know. I know. It's been ages. The newest improvement? I have a job! Three weeks ago I received a life-changing phone call, from a local high school's assistant principal, inviting me to become a part of her staff. I was being offered a position as a language arts teacher, and she said I would most likely be taking on a full load with 10th grade English and perhaps a section of 9th grade English, too. Now, here I stand, a full week into teaching, with three 10th grade English classes, a section of Intermediate ELL Writing, and one section of Spanish 1. And let me tell you, I'm absolutely loving it. I'll add here that this is tough. I'm trying desperately to do long-term planning, while at the same time focusing on all the small things that need to be dealt with. I'm constantly reevaluating the assignments I'm giving, the way my desks are arranged, and how I can improve my classroom to be the most effective learning environment for my kids. I know that I have a whole shit-ton to learn this year, and I'm also being really purposeful in pacing myself so I don't become overwhelmed and burned out. But seriously. It's so fun. My kids are hilarious. My administrators and colleagues are supportive. My classes are challenging, but I'm being given freedom to play within some great, critically thought out and planned frameworks. Especially after the odd environment I was in during my student teaching, this is about as ideal as I could ask for. I'm learning what it means to teach, being offered all types of suggestions and support, and teaching my ELL students new words and phrases like "peer editing" and "goober." Though I know things can change, and some days will be far different from others, but today, my fifth day into teaching, I"m just so happy.