Solving Problems

I love solving problems. I hate the feeling I have when I complain about them. And yet, I noticed today during my planning period that I was in a very complaining mood.

I share a room with a first-year Teach for America corps member. We are not allowed to put anything on the walls except by sticky tac, which loses its adhesive powers in the constant air conditioning flow, which is a necessary evil as it keeps the room from becoming overly stuffy. (Did I mention this room has no windows?)

Having both done labs today, we realized during our planning/lunch/"Can I please sit down and take a break?" time that the current room setup at that time was too boring and too inefficient for our needs. We also realized we were complaining quite a bit about the lack of space and, well, just about anything and everything that came to mind regarding the room.

So, we began to problem-solve using the time tested "trial and error" method. We arranged the desks one way, then we scratched the idea. We tried a new, more promising layout, but alas, it was not to be either. So, we tweaked the angle of the second layout and arrived at a solution that fit all of our requirements and calmed all of our mutual concerns. It's amazing the ton of bricks that releases from my shoulders when a problem into which I pour my energy suddenly vanishes. One of my goals for the year is to better my in- and out-of-class organization, so I went out to Home Depot this weekend and gathered materials for a supply bin for each 4-person group in each of my classes. Moving the desks in that room into a group formation was a relief, but it seemed like a moral victory to place the supply bins at the appropriate positions within each of the groups!

Now, I would like to focus on execution. That is, sharp and swift execution of my lessons.

There is, naturally, an elaboration to come on that topic. Until then, many blessings.