Back to School

As the middle of August approaches each year, I become full of mixed emotions. The "Back to School" signs in all the stores selling cheap crayons and notebooks always make me feel sad that summer is coming to an end. I like my summers just as much as the students do, if not more. Actually, I'm convinced that summer vacation was invented for the teachers, and not for the students. It is a much needed emotional and physical break from the day to day life of a teacher. I can get projects done and run errands that I usually don't have the time or energy for during the school year. Teaching wears me out. When I was in college, I was working, taking classes, and packing my at least 14 hour days with all sorts of fun things. I got up early (I had 8:00 am class) and went to bed late and functioned just fine. Now, after spending a mere 8 hours at work, I come home exhausted. It may be a function of getting older, but I think it has more to do with what I am actually doing during the day. I've had a few other "9-5" jobs and they have not had nearly the same affect on me as teaching has.

With that said, I have been back to school for a couple of weeks now-one week with students. Each year I seem to have 2 students who drive me crazy all year long-and I've already identified them. Not a good sign. Our grading/scheduling/attendance/everything program went down three times this week and was not functioning half the time I needed to use it. We'll see how it goes next week.

With all of that though, there is still an excitement that comes with the beginning of a school year. As a child, it was getting new school supplies, new clothes, a new teacher, and finding new friends. As I got into college, the beginning of the school year typically meant new classes, a new ward, new roommates, and a new job. As a teacher, it is really about getting a new start and another try with new students. Meeting my new students is always fun-yet still a little nerve wracking. The first day of school they spend sizing me up as I size them up. Some kids I can almost immediately determine what kind of student they are, while others I will have to wait to find out. Most of my students are great kids who are a lot of fun to work with. As far as the actual learning part of school goes, I was pretty pleased with how my students did last year, but I am excited to try again. I feel like this year I will really have things down. It will be my fourth year teaching and it will hopefully consist more of improvements than total re-designs.

So here I go-year number four. Summer is officially over and school is back in session. I'm still having to drag myself out of bed because I am not used to getting up so early, but hopefully I'll get used to that pretty soon. 9 months can be a long time, so here is looking toward the future. Year number four, I hope you're great!