Today was Day #4 in the new school year. I’m teaching freshmen again.
Last year, I threatened to retire if I had to teach freshmen this year. I’m just too blasted old and do not have the energy and I reasoned that they need a younger teacher who is more creative and has more energy … Because of a change in my financial status, I could not follow through on my threat.
So, here I am with these young students who are eager to experience all that high school can offer them. Of course, analyzing literature and writing essays and research papers in MLA format are not top priority.
To my delight and surprise, I have been visited by students from last year’s classes. Lots of hugs. Lots of comments that they want back in my class. Now, I’m not naive; I understand that I’m what’s familiar and their sophomore teachers are the unknown. But it makes me feel good.
I had some behavior problems on Monday & Tuesday and made calls to MOM! The behavior improved.
I am thankful that my students have focused on writing their essays the past four days. Many of them turned in the summer reading project …. and the others are either reading … or thinking about reading and might get around to finding a book this weekend … maybe.
Maybe this year …… maybe this year will be a little bit better. Maybe this year, I will be able to teach. Maybe this year ………………..
Always the maybe, just stay positive that’s all I can recommend. Glad my time of freshmen are over!
You never know……wishing you a better year Mona
Maybe… I pray it is so!
You have my empathy. There’s nothing worse than trying to inspire students with no interest.
Have a good year. We start two weeks from today. YIKES.
Best wishes – there is something magical about a new start. Anything is possible.
Have a good year! A faculty said to me that students were from another world, and that was 8 years ago…
I know you can! I know you can! I know you can! Praying for a good school year for you. I still remember my freshman year English teacher, she made a great impression on me.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Good luck with the new school year. Hopefully the new students prove to be great and inspire you to do your best
Thanks …. They are challenging and never boring.
I can see how being a teacher can be extremely rewarding, but also a struggle and might be frustrating at times, but you obviously touch a lot of their hearts, and that alone is amazing
Can’t wait to hear more about this new school year!
Have a positive year no matter who may or may not want to be in school. What camera do you have?
I started with a Nikon D90 3 years ago, but I switched to Canon in May. I now have a Canon 60D, which I’m still learning.
Have a good year, as best you can.
I hope that you have a relatively stress free year. I know that sounds almost silly due to the profession you are in but still there is hope and I have faith in you! Think about the students that will whisper your name and smile 20 years from now
To this day I have a few teachers that I am grateful for having and I smile when I think about them. I am actually facebook friends with my fifth grade teacher as well as the econonmics professor that I had in college.