lesson planning woes

So the other night I had a kind of freaking out episode. I had finished my lesson plan, I believe my last or second to last one for the team teaching, and I realized (once again) it took me WAY too long to do. More than once the evaluators (or as Ben fondly calls the TEAM members) commented on my extensive, organized lesson plans. Well, with good reason. I am not going to admit how long I actually spent on these lesson plans...but let's just say longer than I will have time for in the fall. So what was I worrying about? I couldn't comprehend how I was going to be able to do this in the fall, for 3 different classes (I know it doesn't compare to Reg having to prep for 5 different math/physics classes). I CANNOT spend nearly as long lesson planning. I wouldn't sleep if I did. So what will I do?

Well, of course, by morning I was looking at this problem in a much more positive light. And it was comforting to hear a veteran, Ms. Logan, admit that her first year of teaching she was up til 3am every night so she could reteach herself the material, lesson plan, and be ready to have the air of complete authority and expertise while teaching her classes that same (very long) day.

So I know it's going to be hard. I know not even the perfect lesson plan will go completely as (for lack of a better word) planned. I know I won't get as much sleep at first, and I will have to review material I haven't seen in 4 years before I can even think of trying to teach it. But it'll get easier. I'll get a feel for my class, my students, my school, my style. This might be a poor analogy, but when I first started serving (the politically correct term for "waitressing") I was scared to death. How stupid huh? But I was. That restaurant prided itself on very efficient, speedy, genuine service (we got in trouble if the glasses got more than half empty or if appetizers weren't out in less than 4 min.). The restaurant I was working for had an awesome extensive training program that took 5 (not consecutive) days to complete. In the end, I absolutely loved serving. For one thing, I love food (hence the change of my blog title) and I love recommending and serving good food for others to enjoy. But more importantly, I enjoyed giving others an enjoyable experience. I seriously was terrified at first, but once I dug into it, I loved it.

I really think (and hope) teaching will be similar to this experience. Of course, it is MUCH more rewarding, and also with a much graver responsibility. But as far as personal struggles go, I think it's one in the same for me. I was painfully shy when I was little, and I still hate public speaking. I enjoy writing, but it takes me a long time to write research papers because I have a hard time deciding what I do and do not want to include. In teaching, I've gotta be confident at all times, even if I don't feel like it. I've gotta limit my lesson plan and not always make it a work of art. I have to realize the practicalities and not make teaching about me, but about the students I am trying to teach about math, physics, and life.