Well I survived my first three weeks as a 3rd-4th grade teacher

As I was subbing for a teacher in Newtok I was offered a permanent position at Kasigluk for 3rd and 4th grades. I jumped at the chance. In the time I had to accept to the first day of class my emotions were all over the place. I was told the class was a tough group of kids who had a rough start. Other than that I did not know what kind of situation I would enter. I felt like I was closing my eyes, praying and jumping into the unknown, not knowing where or how I would land. This was a relatively new emotion for me - uncertainty. On the bright side, I would be stationed close to Bethel and home and I know some of the people there. Correction - I had known some of the people there from when I went there for conferences as a child. There is also a Russian Orthodox Church there - and I know some of the people from my attending the church at Bethel. I knew of the challenges such as a tough group of kids, no running water or toilet in the home provided for me and my son and babysitter... All things fell into place in time. I encountered a very unorganized classroom - things everywhere in piles and a group of kids who provided me with ample challenges. I had to literally force myself to just look down at what was directly in front of me so I would not allow the sense of being overwhelmed diminish what momentum I had in me. The few times I glanced at the classroom I found myself deep in thought, wondering how a classroom could become so unorganized. I teared up thinking to myself, "If I feel so impacted with confusion and loss as an adult being in the classroom for as little time as I had how would a child of 8-10 feel having to be here every day?" I still need the prayers I requested from friends and family but by Christmas break I felt like I was able to at least provide a classroom organized and in some sense of order so that the children, my students feel comfortable and safe.