I still want to add a few more things to my classroom before I can consider it done -- namely a small fridge and a Harry Potter poster -- but it can wait until things settle down a bit.
Another reason why I'm not feeling so bad about starting the new school year is that I get to end my summer vacation on a high note -- while I was going quietly crazy at work today, bouncing from meeting to meeting, my boyfriend called to suggest we go to Islands of Adventure tomorrow until Sunday because our annual passes are about to expire. For a nanosecond, I thought, Are you insane? But then I decided, Oh what the heck. I'll just stress myself out if I stay home and wind up spending all weekend creating color-coded seating charts and whatnot. Better to go to Orlando and have butterbeer and ride the Dragon Challenge, especially since I've been on such a Harry Potter kick this summer. I'll probably start the school year more relaxed that way!
The biggest reason why I'm happy to begin the new school year? It's simply because I'm excited to meet my new students. It is both the blessing and the curse of the teacher that we play but a transient role in the lives of our students. When you think about it, we truly spend so little time with them and ultimately have that blink-and-you'll-miss-it chance to make a difference in their lives. I become newly aware of this fact every August. Even though I'm going into my ninth (!!!) year teaching this school year, I still get butterflies in my stomach every time school starts up again. If I'm blessed enough to still be teaching when I'm old and gray, something tells me I will still continue to get those butterflies. I hope they never fly away.
4 comment(s):
okay, i've got a lot to say.
first, I MISS YOU! i can't believe we let this summer go by without the almost daily emails like your last summer vacation. and if i may be honest, i was pretty sad last august thinking about you being in school! i know i should be an adult about it and realize that things can't always be fun, but the truth is, all this work i've had to do lately just sucks, because it's keeping me from my blog friends!
second, i hope you still have the best smelling class in the school. smells are important, especially to someone completely germaphobe such as myself.
third, i think it's good that you look forward to meeting your students and making a difference. i think it's teachers like that that really DO make an impact, and they're the ones the students remeber years and years later.
good luck, and have fun in orlando!
Um, super jealous of your excellent room--I'm already planning what posters I'll have in mine when I start teaching, but first I have to get hired! ;) Also: jealous of your excursion into the Harry Potter park; I've heard it's amazing and that the butterbeer is heavenly. Best part, in your opinion?
~Eve S. D'ropper
(P. S. Contest on my blog! Win books/candy/gift card! Check it out: http://wordsfromthehallway.blogspot.com/2011/08/anniversary-more-or-less-contest.html)
Very amazing and interesting classroom. I feel all this talks a lot of the person ie you. No wonder your post evokes excitement and splendour. Thanks.
What a sweet post, and of course I appreciate it as a fellow teacher! I get really excited to meet my students each year, too. And I have to mention that I am SO IMPRESSED with your organization/classroom/instinct to create seating charts and such ahead of time! I'm such a slacker. Seriously, I'm often finishing up lesson plans in the last 5 minutes before the bell rings. Here's to me learning a thing or two from you!
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