Back to school is one of the most exciting times of year for kids. New clothes, new crayons, new friends. It's back to school for more than just the kids though. Ever thought about a teacher's first day back?
I bring you Sarah, who is a teacher and blogger. Some of you may already be familiar with Sarah from her stories at Confessions of an Untenured Teacher. She cracks me up and is constantly giving her readers a look into the crazy life of a teacher. Here are her thoughts on back to school.
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On subsequent First Days, I became less nervous and more exhausted...
When you see your child's teacher on the first day, wearing their Sunday best with a welcoming smile on their face? You're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
And like the kiddos, it can be difficult to adjust to the new school routine. Suddenly, after months of Doing Whatever the Heck I Want, I have to get up early! I have to wear shoes! I have to pack a lunch! I have to hold my pee!
I'm not a parent, but I imagine mommies everywhere mostly feel like this on the first day:
Today marks my sixth First Day of School as a special education teacher.
I can still remember the very first day of my teaching career six years ago. I hardly slept a wink the night before, and I was SO nervous that morning, I seriously considered not even going at all. But I did show up, and I did my very best impression of a confident teacher.
On subsequent First Days, I became less nervous and more exhausted...
When you see your child's teacher on the first day, wearing their Sunday best with a welcoming smile on their face? You're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
Most likely, we've just completed days (even weeks!) of professional development. We've sat in meetings and been informed of new requirements, new policies, new forms to fill out. We've teetered and tottered on ladders to hang up our bulletin boards. We've hashed out our discipline plans and our homework policies. We've labeled desks, cubbies, and supplies. We've already made a few hundred copies and suffered many paper cuts.
And like the kiddos, it can be difficult to adjust to the new school routine. Suddenly, after months of Doing Whatever the Heck I Want, I have to get up early! I have to wear shoes! I have to pack a lunch! I have to hold my pee!
I'm not a parent, but I imagine mommies everywhere mostly feel like this on the first day:
So there we are, smiling and exhausted, seeing YOUR children in their cute little back-to-school outfits. They're eager to see their friends, meet the teacher, find their classroom and their desk. They come to us from all sorts of different backgrounds: some have loving homes, some have broken homes, some have no home. Some are far above grade level, some are right where we'd expect them to be, and some have a lot of catching up to do.
They come to us with their hopes, their dreams, their fragile self-esteem. They look to us, their teachers, to show them what they need to know. They remind us of why we signed up for this job in the first place: to instill a life-long love of learning in every child. To be a positive and caring role model. To make a difference in their young lives.
It's completely overwhelming...
...and absolutely wonderful!
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Makes you want to thank a teacher, doesn't it?
Makes you want to thank a teacher, doesn't it?
Just wanted to let you know that your reverse metamorphosis comment on Mommaondago nearly killed me! You are too funny!
ReplyDeleteAnd my wife's a teacher so I really liked this post.
ReplyDeleteTeachers work so hard and usually have such a thankless job. When you think about it, what is more important than teaching our children? These people should be praised every chance we get.
ReplyDeleteSo, thank you Sarah!
that comic is AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI cry tears of joy when that school bus leaves wooo hooo freedom! Thank goodness for teachers and I hope your curriculum is a little more structured than Bethanys.
ReplyDeleteI cry tears of joy when that school bus leaves wooo hooo freedom! Thank goodness for teachers and I hope your curriculum is a little more structured than Bethanys.
ReplyDeleteI cry tears of joy when that school bus leaves wooo hooo freedom! Thank goodness for teachers and I hope your curriculum is a little more structured than Bethanys.
ReplyDeleteI cry tears of joy when that school bus leaves wooo hooo freedom! Thank goodness for teachers and I hope your curriculum is a little more structured than Bethanys.
ReplyDeleteI cry tears of joy when that school bus leaves wooo hooo freedom! Thank goodness for teachers and I hope your curriculum is a little more structured than Bethanys.
ReplyDeleteI cry tears of joy when that school bus leaves wooo hooo freedom! Thank goodness for teachers and I hope your curriculum is a little more structured than Bethanys.
ReplyDeleteI love this post.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I always thank my son's teachers. I know it's not a easy job to have.
From a teacher: Thank you!
ReplyDeletewhat a great post sarah! you're such a talented writer. that comic cracks me up... it's so perfect
ReplyDeleteI love the guest post idea! It's so true about the tip of the iceberg...and the kids and parents have their own icebergs below the surface as well. Have a great rest of the first week!
ReplyDeleteI have the utmost respect for teachers. My better half was one for 6+ years, so I know how rewarding, yet exhausting it can be. I tip my hat to anyone choosing that as a career!
ReplyDeleteDude! I SO want to be a teacher now!!!! LOL! I won't though...I'll leave it to those, like you, who chose to do it for the right reasons...not because they drank the kool-aid the crazy untenured teacher lady was distributing!
ReplyDeleteLove this post by the way!