Thursday morning I was able to get into my classroom for the first time! It was exciting and overwhelming all at once. I loved being in MY classroom and setting everything up. It's starting to sink in that I'm going to be a TEACHER this year. I'm not just helping out in someone's class. I am in charge of these kids! They are depending on ME to not only teach them everything they need to know to finish fourth grade, but to be an example, a mentor, and a friend to them. This is quite the responsibility, especially considering the fact that I'm barely twice their age. I really have to go by a lot of faith this year, but I'm going to do my best to teach them all I can and be open to the many lessons I'm sure I'll learn from them.
While we were in my classroom, Kathy asked me how much space I would need for my class library. I looked at her for a second and then I realized...
I own no more than 7 books.
What kind of a teacher am I?
How am I supposed to be a good example to these kids and instill in them a love of learning if there isn't a single book in my classroom? I immediately decided it was time I work on building up my own personal collection of children's literature.
Unfortunately, I am a teacher (and an intern on half-salary at that), so my funds are limited. Books are not cheap. In fact, with the budget I'm on right now, I could probably afford to buy 2-3 books every month this year.
Awesome.
When school starts, I'll have 9 books. And by the time we finish in June, my class library will have grown to have between 25 and 30 books. Yes, I realize this is a little...
pathetic.
So I started thinking about what else I could do to remedy my lack of literature. And then, on my way to the Utah-Idaho Teacher Supply Store, I saw it.
Deseret Industries.
They have books AND their prices are ridiculously low! It was perfect.After spending about 25 minutes in the youth chapter book section, weeding through countless pieces of literary trash (as well as some books that were clearly not meant for youth i.e. Machiavelli's The Prince and Voltaire's Candide), I had found roughly 35 books that were worth purchasing. And with each book priced between $.50 and $2, I was ready to leave the store with 35 great books and only about $22 poorer.
But good ol' Deseret Industries had something better in mind. Upon noticing that I am a teacher and was buying a heap of books for my classroom with money from my own pocket, the woman at the register decided every book only cost $.50. That's right. $17.50 for 35 books.I must say,
I was touched.
And now, my students will have something to read all year!
