One week down. 35 to go!

I always have mixed feelings about the first week of school.

The first week of school means a three week break filled to the brim with graduate classes, district trainings and faculty meetings. It means writing 28 names on labels, folders, mailboxes, more folders, welcome signs, and still more folders. It takes hours to pull out and staple decodable readers. More hours are spent trying to design and organize a new small group rotation schedule so that I can meet the needs of those 28 growing minds. The first week of school means stress and late nights.

But…

It also means new crayons, new ideas, and a fresh start. These students don’t know about that math lesson I tried last year and how it ended with everyone involved completely frustrated. They weren’t in my room that day, about a week before Christmas break, when I really lost my patience and raised my voice when I shouldn’t have. They are ignorant to my failings and shortcomings.

In return, I don’t know how many times they were in the AC room last year. I am unaware of their  inability to keep quiet or sit still. I have never taken away their recess time or called home with bad news. When they walk into my room I tell them how excited I am that they are in my class… and I really mean it.

In the end, even with all the craziness and stress, I’m thankful for a new year and a fresh start. Maybe this year I will finally get it all right… or at least get a little bit closer.