The first week of a new school year seems to feel the longest. It was Tuesday this week when I realized it was only Tuesday and it felt like it should be Friday. Yet by the time I reached Friday, I was getting into the swing of things.
As a veteran teacher (hello, fourth year!), I am enjoying knowing what I am doing some of the time. When students ask me questions, it is often to rules or practices I have already established, questions that I have already answered in previous years. Perhaps I am most excited about the fact that each year I feel more and more comfortable in my role as teacher. I'm not completely at ease with my students, but I feel the most myself this first week that I ever have. I know difficulties will arise, arguments, tough questions, senioritis, and sass, but I will take it in stride. Thankfully, the Lord has been giving me the grace over the last few years of letting my students' attitudes dictate less and less how I respond. I don't take things quite so personally anymore and it is only something that time could help me achieve.
Overall, my classes are pretty good. My sophomore classes appear fun and respectful and my seniors seem to be willing to listen. Yet I am going to refrain from naming too many more wholesome traits because it is only the end of the first week. Time and homework will reveal their true colors. My mind recalls my first year of teaching as being one of the most stressful and the students who made life difficult for me still stand out in my memory. It is hard to tell if the classes are really that different or if the difference lies mainly within myself. I am prone to think it is a bit of both but mostly the latter.
So here is to a good school year, one richly overflowing with blessings and all that the Lord desires to do in His good time. And if all goes awry, I can turn to the intercession of a teacher who didn't always have the most receptive audience, sometimes aroused anger, and whom we celebrate today--St. John the Baptist.
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