So begins another year

Tomorrow is a big day for me: it's another year of school. It's hard to believe that I'm beginning my 9th year of teaching.

The first day of school is the most important. Routines and procedures are established. I need to do a good job and be firm with the students, then I can loosen later.

I can't but help think about my first first-day of school school back in August of 1998. Looking back now, I realize how little I knew. We had a 1/2 day to begin the year at Oakland School in Oakland, TN. I think after about an hour of teaching, I didn't plan enough.

My first class is one I won't forget. It's hard to believe that those students are now juniors in high school. And this even blows my mind even more: the first group of children I worked with in a practicum I had at OC are now entering college. Wow.

I think my ninth year of teaching will be a great one. Say a prayer for me at 7:40 tomorrow. Oh, check out my classroom blog. I didn't do well updating it last year, but I intend to do better with this one.

Edit 8/10 - It was a great day! I have 24 students now, 10 girls and 14 boys. I know this is the "honeymoon" period, but my students did great.

I really like fourth grade. The teachers I'm working with are all great and I like the new part of the building I'm in. We have long hallways, so I know I'll get a lot of exerice this year.

Thanks for all of the kind remarks and prayers!