Back-to-School

I have always looked forward to the beginning of a new school year. For many years, my anticipation has been enhanced by the fact that I had spent a lot of my summer hours doing curriculum mapping, developing lesson ideas, trying out science demos, visiting potential field trip locations, and many other preparatory activities that I seldom have enough time to do thoroughly after the school year starts. These things have never been drudgery for me, and I've never begrudged the time spent doing them - in fact, I enjoy them, as they are an outlet for the creativity and fun that make teaching such a joy for me.

Due to some unfortunate circumstances a few years ago, I found myself spending the last few summers either teaching in a year-round program that had no significant break, or looking for a new job. In the latter case, it's nearly impossible to use summer to prepare for fall, since there's no way of knowing what fall will bring.

This year I was fortunate enough to find a teaching position in a district that hired early. I have been able to spend the past several weeks preparing, brainstorming new ideas, researching, and creating.

Next week is crunch-time. Am I ready? I hope so. There will be much to learn of a new community, school procedures, and lots and lots of new names and faces. But I am once again facing this new beginning inspired and excited to implement the ideas I have been working on.

I will miss sleeping after 8am. I will miss spending lazy afternoons out at the stable, reading in the shade while my horses graze. I will miss the spontaneity with which I can decide to go to the city, or the flexibility with which I can schedule a game of golf. And, sadly, once again there are a dozen projects that either never got finished or never got started.

But school starts next week, and I CAN'T WAIT!