Oh, the wonders of being a new teacher... There are a lot of lousy things about being an inexperienced, first-year teacher, but one of the nicest things about it is seeing your classroom for the first time. It's like the Price is Right... you know the prize is behind the door, but it's those few tantalizing seconds just as you see the classroom that are truly precious.
My classroom is huge! And it's all mine! It has one window, but three computers, one being mine. I have my own laser printer, headphones/audio players for the kids, tons of books (although they will not be enough, I'm sure) and an enormous TV. I have two file cabinets (I love file cabinets) and a ream of colored paper. I EVEN HAVE MY OWN OVERHEAD PROJECTOR.
It's strange that I get tingly all over by the the prospect of having unlimited access to a laminating machine. UNLIMITED!!! I am going to laminate everything! I get a high from pouring through textbooks and workbooks and reading books galore... I feel like I have so many resources (although I'm sure I'll feel quite lacking in a couple weeks when I really figure out what I have). I spent almost $100 on printer ink cartridges while in Houston (five cartridges in five weeks) and now I've been told that I have a 100 page limit each day. And I don't even have to do it myself. The secretary will run the papers off for me! I feel rich.
Since it's a BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs School) it's pretty well funded (ironic, I know). The principal told me repeatedly not to buy additional classroom supplies from Wal-Mart, because all supplies are provided for and there is no need for me to spend my own money. (And yes, I have succumbed and become a Wal-Mart consumer. It's the closest major store I have access to and it's still 40 minutes away). My principal shooed us over to the supply warehouse (and it truly is a warehouse) next door to the school (it's on campus) and told us to take whatever we need. They have everything from staplers to decorative wall borders to tissue paper. It's unbelievable.
And it's a good thing that I feel so well-endowed just from my classroom supplies, because there are just two gas stations, five churches and a post office in Tohatchi, where the school is. I'll do my grocery shopping 30 miles away. Folks, I now have a P.O. Box.
Hey there,
My name is Sarah, and I'm a brand new corps member with Teach for America, and have been placed in New Mexico - am very excited. So I've been going back and reading your blog (which I am really, really enjoying, by the way, it's fascinating!), and something that has still confused me is why BIA schools are relatively well funded. Why is this?
Cheers!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | April 13, 2006 at 08:46 AM