surviving second grade

   I've been teaching now for 35 school days.  I've put up with doubting parents and have had one unit of Open Court reading and 30 lessons of Saxon math.  I now have 24 students and am starting to feel more comfortable about teaching though we've been collaberating on lesson plans and newsletters to ease the pressure.  Our first field trip is this week and conferences are only 2 weeks away.  I am bonding with my fellow teachers and they all seem to be good collegues willing to help the new old man.  I do spend many hours at school and 60 hours a week on school work.  We have had great weather this fall and the kids have only had to stay in one day so far.  All the support from my family is a lifesaver.