Year 28....yep for the last 28 years, come August I start hearing the question..."Well, you ready for school to start." Honestly, I answer no. But I quickly follow that "no" with a "but once I'm there it's like I never left. I'll be ready."
Teaching is one of those strange occupations where you get three months off in the summer. You know, the old joke...."What's the three best things about teaching? June, July, and August." And don't get me wrong. Having a nice break like that is a great opportunity to do other things and spend time with those you love. But it also a time of rejuvenation.
One of the best things about teaching...it always changes. There is always a beginning and an end. It's not like other jobs where things continue day in-day out. We get a fresh start each August. New students. New energy.
So last week when I was asked if I was ready to come back, I said no. But now that I'm here, it's like I never left. Those three months seemed like a 3-day weekend.
But it's nice to be back. To catch up with colleagues. To look at class lists with some familiar names and some unfamiliar names. To promise to do a better job this year than last year. To make changes in curriculum so it works better. To do a better job connecting with students.
New year. New personal expectations. New excitement.
So yes. Now I am ready. Bring on the students. Bring on year 28.
Teaching is one of those strange occupations where you get three months off in the summer. You know, the old joke...."What's the three best things about teaching? June, July, and August." And don't get me wrong. Having a nice break like that is a great opportunity to do other things and spend time with those you love. But it also a time of rejuvenation.
One of the best things about teaching...it always changes. There is always a beginning and an end. It's not like other jobs where things continue day in-day out. We get a fresh start each August. New students. New energy.
So last week when I was asked if I was ready to come back, I said no. But now that I'm here, it's like I never left. Those three months seemed like a 3-day weekend.
But it's nice to be back. To catch up with colleagues. To look at class lists with some familiar names and some unfamiliar names. To promise to do a better job this year than last year. To make changes in curriculum so it works better. To do a better job connecting with students.
New year. New personal expectations. New excitement.
So yes. Now I am ready. Bring on the students. Bring on year 28.