And why am I surprised? The first day of school is overwhelming for incoming seventh graders. Coming from a small school where they knew everybody (and everybody knew them) to Kenilworth, with its 900+ students, can be intimidating. And few people, when overwhelmed by fear and anxiety and with a belly full of stomach acid, will laugh at even the best of jokes. And let’s be honest, as a student of mine from last year, Kira Crull, liked to say, my jokes “aren’t the best.”
Thankfully, this time of anxiety does not last forever. Soon, students figure out where they will be eating lunch with their friends; they discover where all the bathrooms are; they realize that remembering their A Day and B Day schedule isn’t so difficult. And after a week or two, students begin to relax and are ready to enjoy learning. And it’s about this time that a few students generally begin to giggle at some of my lame jokes.
I’ve heard people compare the school year to a marathon. Others like to say it’s more like being on a long roller coaster ride. This week, we take our first steps/ascend that first hill. It only gets more fun and interesting from here.
Years ago, a friend told me she thought I should be a teacher. I laughed! I was a 20-year-old studying journalism and African American Studies, and my goal was to write for the Los Angeles Times or some other respected publication. Becoming a teacher seemed like a ridiculous idea. After college, I figured, I’d never step in a classroom again.
Then I went on a month-long trip to Mexico with the goal of improving my Spanish-speaking skills. While there, my thoughts about my future job slowly changed. Perhaps it was the interaction with the children on my trip that influenced my thinking. Or maybe it was the long chats with my roommate, a young man who was studying to be a priest, that made me want a job as an educator. I’m not sure. All I know is, when I returned to Southern California my heart told me I wanted to be a teacher.
So why teach? First, I am consistently energized by the goal of helping students grow. Junior high can be such a confusing time, one where the ground underneath a student’s feet is constantly shifting. But I have realized that if I do my job well, and create a safe, fun, disciplined class environment, students are able to enjoy learning, build their skills, create lasting memories, and grow in confidence. Second, teaching is so darn fun! Every day, my fellow teachers make me laugh. And every day, the students inspire me with their perseverance, silliness, and courage. I can’t tell you how many times I smile because of all the wonderful people I see at Kenilworth every day.
I have been teaching for 25 years, and I hope to teach for another 25! (Not really…) I feel very fortunate to be a teacher at a school with so many caring educators and amazing students.
I imagine many teachers can relate with the following: Wake up, and I am soon hit by how much the job asks of me (and how much I ask of myself to do it right). I arrive to my classroom, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the task at hand.
Then, student smiles and goofiness arrive at my door...Then: A miracle! The stress recedes...and resilience, positive energy, and joy become my new reality.
Next day: repeat.
I wonder if my students know how much I (we) appreciate them for lifting us up in these challenging times?