Loving my new job -Amy

I recently started professional development for my new teaching job at a charter school on the west side of the city. So far, I am TOTALLY loving it. That is actually a serious understatement. I am loving everyone that I work with, I am loving the methods they are training us to use, and I am loving being able to successfully put into practice some strategies that I learned in college. To make a long story short, I learned about "Reader's and Writer's Workshops" while I was in college. These are unconventional teaching methods that have proven to be very successful at improving reading levels and comprehension. Galapagos (where I work) uses these methods and I am so excited to be a part of it.

I really feel like this new job was a great fit for me, and it is making me a better teacher every day. I am sure I will have my share of challenges, but the support that the staff has offered is unbelievable. The professional development opportunities that have been offered and will continue to be offered are meaningful and helpful. I feel like I have grown so much in the past 3 weeks, and I am so excited to see what will happen once I really get into the year.

I truly miss my past school, and I definitely get sad when I think about my students or see other teachers posting on facebook about what they are all up to together. They were an amazing staff as well and I was truly blessed to be part of their staff last year. Still, I feel like I am in the right place at the right time for Roger and I, and also just for me as a professional. I am growing so much, and I love that my beliefs about education fall so closely in line with the school that I am currently a part of.

I am loving Chicago life!