The first week of school is over and done. I’m tired. I’m not just tired, I’m teacher tired. I LOVE my fourth graders!!! I’m so happy I decided to move down to that grade level, but the first week of school tires a teacher out no matter what grade they teach.
We spend the first week getting to know a minium of sixty different personalities. We learn who ebbs and flows with other students as well as the teacher. We learn who is enthusiastic and who is so quiet they barely whisper when they speak.
We also spend the first week learning all the procedures and classroom expectations. We figure out the bests routes for our class to travel in order to be effiecient and on time. We start our content lessons almost immediately so as to not lose any time.
I started last week with hardly any sleep but having enough adrenaline to power me through the first day in an excited way. By Friday, I was tired, dragging, and feeling like I was drowning a little. Now, I’m not being negative. I’m being truthful. The first week of school is a lot, especially when you and the students have all had a few weeks off from this routine.
I need to refuel as best I can before Monday. I’m excited to be back at work with students who are excited to be there as well. My new schedule is amazing. The fast pace of the school day is great for getting my steps in. I work from the minute I arrive to the minute I leave. I don’t mind it. I enjoy it. I like staying busy. I like getting to be a little silly with my students and having fun as we do the lesson together.
This year is going to be amazing. I can feel it. I can see it. Now that the first week is over, I can embrace it.
