The night before the first day of school always gets me antsy. Even when I am completely prepared for the first weeks, I still have wild dreams. ACTUALLY, I have strange school dreams throughout the year, too. They are both caused by stress, a part of life. Normally they involve trying to find another teacher or administrator to stop some strange behavior in class. I imagine myself a comedian getting booed. I hustle around trying to find a back up plan or a worksheet, while students fly anything from paper airplanes to large knives through the air. Never can I find help; I scream for help over and over. Sometimes the school is empty, the phone is busy, or all the halls are titling back and forth like in a funhouse. Other times, my assistant principal tells me that I am just making a big deal about the knives; they are not weapons unless they are making a verbal threat, he says. I have had all types of school dreams. It is impossible to fall asleep.
I am just like any kid that starts the first day of school. I have had 28 firsts days of school! I ALWAYS dress is new clothes; I have always tried to get my picture taken for nostalgia purposes. I always buy new school supplies for myself…new pens and post-its. Buying just supplies for the classroom is not enough; although it does help.
Everything about the first day of school makes me all giggy inside. I get to meet new students. I get a new beginning. One great thing about teaching is that if the year is not going as well as you want, the year is always nearly over. The first day is a fresh start. I have new hopes and dreams. Plus I really enjoy teaching. I don’t think there is another job I would want to do more than teach. Even if the pay was minimum wage, I would still be doing this.
Anything could happen. It is all starting THIS week.
Another great thing being a teacher is we get a practice day. Tomorrow is the first day for teachers; Tuesday is the first day for students. I get the same feelings for both days. I intend on some pretty vivid dreams tonight. Two first days…both are probably equally as useless. My mother told me to remember how boring the teachers’ first day is, so I will be sympathetic to the students when I drone on and on about classroom rules and such. I promise to try, Mom. It has to start somewhere, and I AM READY FOR IT TO START.
Bring it on, TEENAGERS! Bring it on, TEACHERS! Bring it on, PRINCIPAL!
Bring it on, DISTRICT! Bring it on, PARENTS!
I am ready for it all. If I only can get through the first days without any sleep.