As a child, the first day of school was a momentous occasion. I meticulously labeled every item from my school supply list, planned my first day attire, and spent the entire night before school wide awake, imagining exactly how the day would go. I didn't need any prompting, coaxing, or encouragement from my parents that next morning, either. I'd be up and at 'em before my parents were drinking their morning coffee.
Now, I'm not sure about other teachers, but for me, I pretty much follow the same "back to school" tradition from my childhood. I label everything, plan my outfit, and spend a great deal of time imagining how this year will be different, special from all the rest. You see, it's my job to create this new world, this unique moment for each class that comes to me...I don't worry about recreating the same experience over and over again. Each new class breathes a new life into my teaching, reshapes my educational philosophies, and revitalizes my passion for my profession.
I could say that this will be my fourth year in teaching, but I'd much rather describe this as my twentieth year as a student. I've been a student much longer than I've been a teacher, and so I feel comfortable standing next to my students rather than in front of them. Many times, they're teaching me what it means to learn--kids are AMAZING. So, materials labeled, outfit chosen, school year imagined, I'm ready to begin my twenty-first year of school.
Happy first day of school!
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