The school year has started. It's always a remarkably special time. I mean, kids are excited, parents seem excited, as are, of course, we teachers. It's a little like playing the lottery, and everyone hopes they hit the jackpot with the proper fit for a meaningful experience. I seem to have done just that.
My second grade students have been great, lo, these three days. We've sung some songs (I teach them the ABC's backwards), we've done some reading (I'll be reading the book Mr. Popper's Penguins), and we've learned a bit about each other (both personally and academically). It's been a lot of fun. Hopefully, that will keep up...
I've got one set of twins (who, for some reason, their mom decided their hair and clothes should be exactly alike), one set of triplets (each, thankfully, with their own look and style), and about 30% of my students are younger siblings of students I have taught previously. So, obviously, it will be an entire year of me calling kids by the wrong name (which, to be honest, is pretty much par for the course).
But it will be fun. It will be exciting. I get a chance to know very well twenty-two children, and they get to know me. It really is a magical time. And, although their will be some verrrrry long days, and some verrrry difficult challenges, it's a great way to earn a living.
I'm a verrrrry lucky man.
