The Together Teacher: Back to School

Well, it is back to school I go.  For real.  Today.  At 7 A.M. <gotta drop the kidlins off at daycare for the first time in weeks...they are thrilled, but their mama is not>, which is like the crack of dawn for me these days.  I am a sleeper.  I love to sleep.  Sleeping has been my life this summer.  I am about to give up lots of sleep.  Lots and lots of sleep.  I miss it already.  For real.  I should be in bed asleep but I am too keyed up to sleep.  So....I figure I better get myself together.  QUICK!!!


A few months ago, I was sent the book written by Maia Hetck-Merlin called The Together Teacher:  Plan Ahead, Get Organized, and Save Time

As you guys probably know by now, I love professional books.  I collect them.  I really read them, too!  When I got this book in the mail I knew it was an OMEN. =)  My cluttered room had to go.  I had to start getting my reports and other professional papers turned in ON TIME.  I need SANITY.  I clung to this book in the hopes that this might save me.  And...to beat it all....I think it just might!  

This summer I have been busy preparing for the Common Core.  When I started I felt like I was working on a curriculum written in Chinese.  Now...it is more like Spanish.  I can pic a few words out....remember a few phrases here and there.....read and understand more than I can discuss it.....you know....

I love the way this book is organized.  The headings of the chapters scream my name!!  Also....if you have a quick minute and there is something on your mind, you can find the chapter and there is usually a nice little gray box.  I started thinking about them as the 'getting me together gray box'.  I could read that and in a flash new what direction I needed to go in with my work as I was preparing for this school year.  Yeah.  The one that begins in just a few hours.  YIKES!

Even more, I liked the "A Day in the Life" profiles that punctuate the book.  I found something in common with every one of the teachers that were spotlighted.  It was sort of like making a text-to-self connection.  I had either fought the battle they were fighting and had won....or I was busy gathering up my artillery for this school year.  And yeah....you know what is next....the one that begins in just a few hours.

One of the neatest aspects of the book is that it comes with a CD.  The CD is ideal for creating your own little organized world!!  It works on both Macs and PCs and you can save your documents on your computer so that it is forever and unmistakeably, yours!

I think this book is a keeper!!  It sure is going to be kept close to me at school for those times when I feel the dreaded clutter monster or I feel like I am losing control amongst the papers!!  

Good luck all.  Happy school year to my co-workers and teachers of America.  And remember....I've got your back!