Question:
As a teacher, what kind of feelings do you have the evening before a new school year starts -- and what do you do?
Replies:
Martha - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Every year, the night before school starts I have a nightmare. It changes a bit throughout the years, but I am always in the classroom looking at my new students, not knowing one single name, and I panic. Will I be able to memorize 135 new names again this year? What if I can't do it anymore? What if I forget my content area--what am I teaching this year? Then I wake up and calm myself by reminding myself that I've been doing this for a long time and that all will be well once I get in school and begin my routine. Then I go back to sleep knowing that I will do my very best for all those new students, just as I have for all my past students.
AZ
I've been teaching for 22 years. I pretty much do the same thing every year on the night before school starts...toss and turn...toss...and turn...and then I wake up exhausted when I should be rested. I haven't figured out anything that helps this.
TX
Very excited to meet my new students, as well as a little nervous. I also hope and pray that I've remembered to do everything I should have and that the year will get off to a good start.
judy - madison heights, MI
I know that this new year will be different than last year, not better, just different! So knowing that, I just open my classroom door, hope for the best and let the games begin!
NY
Thinking about this one makes my head hurt! Every year has been different. With a new administration this year, it is excitement, anxiety, and hopefulness. Please let this be the best for the students and the whole community. That is probably where I will be. And, oh yes, give me wisdom, patience and more time!
Kansas
After several summer workshops, AP Reader Scoring and summer school I feel more overwhelmed than prepared to start another fall. I have several new ideas learned from those workshops and trust they will excite students as well as myself. We have a new grading software, new hallway digital clocks and a host of new things to work with. By the way, when does summer start next year!
Terri Messing - Bremerton, WA
The feelings that I have the evening before the new school year are being anxious and excited. Anxious, because I always worry that I will not be able to connect to all of my students. I am excited because I love teaching junior high students and I want the very best for them. I usually do not sleep well the night before the first day.
Cynthia Sinsap - Bangkok Thailand, Thailand
I generally have trouble falling asleep before the opening of term: I'm too keyed up with excitement. I take a nice long bubble bath, preferably with some aromatherapy relaxing bath foam.
FL
I started teaching high school in 1962 and I will begin my 47th year this week, now as a principal. I still love my job and feel responsible for the students under my care. I still get excited and have trouble sleeping just as I did at the beginning of my career. Teaching is the one profession which allows one to get a new start every year. We alsways get the chance to start over and do it even better.
FL
anxious and full of hope
Lynn Wohler - Aurora, CO
I spend a good amount of time in the summer preparing for the new school year and making adjustments to my curriculum. I always go in 3-5 days before the official reporting time. Basically, it's just a matter of adjusting to the fact I'm back at work, so no negative feelings, since I enjoy what I'm doing. It's all positive!
AZ
I usually have a sweet feeling of regret that summer break has ended and a new school year is approaching. I have been teaching 24 years -- and still don't sleep very well the night before the first day of a new school year! Excitement is in the air!
Katrina Cunningham - St. Cloud, FL
I can't sleep! After 19 years, I still am nervous and excited. I read the bible and calm down some.
WV
I feel let down by the federal government. The testing system is grossly remiss and is not measuring children's achievement; one test for all kids,SAT,CTBS,CAT is needed .More teachers and assistant are needed ,fewer middle managers,more science and math materials and scholarships. A Secretary of Education with a PHD in Education,not a Bachelor's Degree and no teaching experience.American Education is being led astray .
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