Colleagues and Collaboration

I was so worried when I went to my first staff meeting before the beginning of the school year. I had no idea what anyone looked like and I was terrified that they would reject me or brush me off because I was young. Soon I found out that would never be the case with my colleagues. They are awesome!

The hallways at the middle school are separated primarily by grade level (700 Wing is 7th grade, 800 Wing is 8th grade, etc.) and I started working in the 7th grade wing so I could be next to the 7th grade resource teacher. This was helpful at the beginning of the year when I was so worried about starting the year out right, but I began to struggle because I wasn't physically near my grade-level colleagues. Either they had to go downstairs to bring me items and talk about students OR I had to go up there to return items and chat about students. It became a bit too exhausting and it was hard to work with them.

Thankfully, the next year it was decided that there was room for me to move upstairs. I am so happy about that. I can walk down the hallway and talk about accommodations or what I am hoping for them to look out for. I can return tests more easily easily and the students can come to my room for tests more easily. And, the most important thing, I got to know them better.

It is so important to have a positive relationship with peers. I learned that very quickly on. I'm glad that I am working with such exceptional educators that have helped me grow as a person and as a teacher. I can't imagine starting teaching without these individuals!

Thanks for reading,

Kelli