The Next First Day

Tomorrow marks the beginning of year six in the classroom. I guess based on the statistics, I made it past a major milestone, right? Most teachers seem to leave the profession after year five and I cannot lie and say I did not consider it. As life goes, though, I am still here and returing for another year.

Year six usually means that I have seen at least a couple graduating classes walk across the stage. In a way, I have. Though this years seniors are the first that I will have shared all four years on campus with. I don’t have any real feelings though, as I did not teach them as freshmen. I get the pleasure of seeing these students at the end of their journey, when they have one foot out the door, ready to enter the world beyond the constraints of the classroom walls. I do not have the pleasure of knowing these students, or really any class, in their awkwardness as they entered high school and tried to transition from their early to late teenage years.

I know teachers often like to see their students walk across the stage. I, for one, know that I was very fortunate to have my freshmen year teachers see me across the stage my senior year. I am more fortunate than most, I can say, as I also had the same teacher (plus a couple more) watch me walk across the stage after I was hooded at my latest graduation ceremony. It’s rare, or maybe it isn’t, yet I guess I have always been meant to be a teacher in one way or another.

There is quite a bit of anticipation as I head into this next school year. I am cautiously hopeful, given that I am in my third classroom in four years, with my third administrative team in four years, and teaching who knows what iteration of classes at this point. I do get a fancy new title this year, though unofficially, as I am on the record still a dual credit teacher. However, I get to play with numbers and spreadsheets and that makes my heart happy. I am the campus data specialist and being able to look at the numbers, to use the data to drive my decision making when it comes to supporting students, and making sure I am looking at a problem from all angles, makes me smile.

Going into year six, I like to think that I have grown a bit. I like to think that I am a bit better at juggling the unpredictable nature of public education and that I am better at accepting that there are just some things that will not ever happen, even if it is in the best interest of the student. There will always be differences in opportunity and resources and that is life, right? It is up to myself and my colleagues to find a way through the challenges and still provide the best opportunities that we can for our students.

I vow to practice what I preach, so to say. I try to tell others that I truly believe in the unique nature of each individual and how our differences are what allow us to contribute to the world around us. I try to remember that every student is multidimensional and that noone is defined by a singular identity, such as a student of color or a student with disabilities or an English language learner.

These identities are a part of us and help shape the whole. They are pieces of a bigger puzzle that need time and space to be put together. And sometimes, these pieces are rearranged. And rearranged again. That’s okay.

This year, I hope to grow my confidence and really work on trusting the journey, and trusting that I am I right where I need to be, with my feet on solid ground.