The First Week of School

We made it...we survived...Ethan's teacher is still breathing!!! Ethan and I had a great first week! Ethan has been so excited this week and absolutely adores his teacher. He started the week really strong...but by about Thursday he didn't know about this kindergarten business...because..did you know... you have to go everyday!

Well I was super excited that I was at the same school with Ethan on his first day. I had to be there early to help guide my students to my classroom, so Jerm and his Mom took Ethan to his class. When Jeremy took him in, he said Ethan was quiet but decided to share with his teacher, "Did you know I can make myself into a ball?" He then proceeded to lie on the floor and make himself into a ball. Yep...that's my boy. I am proud to be the parent of a ball! Anyway, I was able to go and check on him during my conference time and It was so wonderful that I could do that. I haven't checked on him anymore this week, but have seen him in the halls a couple of times. I think it is the comfort of knowing that we are so close that gives me peace of mind.

On the first day, Ethan's teacher helped him find his way down to my classroom after school...but Tuesday and on he has made it all by himself. He is even starting to warm up to the kids in my class by giving them high fives on their way out the door. I'm personally loving Kindergarten. Ethan comes home so tired that I never thought I would see the day that he would be exhausted. This morning when I was waking him up for school...he was telling me he was soooo tired. So, I promised him that tomorrow we could sleep as long as we wanted. I say "we" because dude I'm tired too.

Every year I forget how exhausting the first week can be. I think it was especially exhausting for me because I was learning a lot with my class this week too. Every day it gets better and I become a little more acclimated to my new school. But, I have to say that when I left on the first day of school with Ethan...I knew right then and there that my move to Forest Ridge was the result of divine intervention. I felt so good and at home. It was as if God was affirming to me that not only did I make a good choice, but that I was following his path. I have found a peace that I thought would take me years to find. Thank you Dear Lord.

This morning I came into my room and I had this awesome basket from my Principal and Asst. Principal with all kinds of cool stuff in it. They had included a note to thank me for a good job my first week and to let me know that if I needed anything they would be there for me. How awesome is that? Ethan thought it was especially cool, so he decided that he needed to share the basket with me and took everything he needed. Luckily he left me all the cool teacher supply stuff and only needed the candy and snacks.

Anyway...thank you all for your prayers and kind words over the last months as I have been transitioning. They definitely worked, because my prayers have been answered.

Starting Over

Here I am...thirty years old...starting over. The last few days I have been overcome with thoughts, feelings, and apprehension. What am I doing? Can I make my way? Will I do a good job? Will they like me here? I feel like a kid again starting a new school again...well I guess I king of am.

Well Friday was the districts kick-off to a new school year. It was at the First Baptist Church where I have gone time and time again for Bryan ISD's convocation. This time as I approached the massive church, I was lost. I didn't know anyone and I saw masses of people. I found a few ladies who were wearing the same shirt as me and followed them in. They didn't know me and I didn't know them, but we had the same shirt on so I was going to follow them. A few people greeted me here and there and welcomed me to the campus. I was looking for a couple of my friends that were from Branch but couldn't find them. Then, finally someone I knew! A sense of relief flooded me. I wasn't alone in the district...I had a friend. Isn't weird that even at thirty years old, we still need that reassurance of community and friends. I really needed it, because I was in very familiar surroundings but my friends were no where to be found. I felt very alone.

I enjoyed the kick-off and left with that renewed sense of purpose and determination in my profession. I love that beginning of the school year spirit. The spirit feels your heart with love and guidance and you are so ready to take on the world. I could feel it and I was pumped once again.

Thirty minutes later after finally getting out of the parking lot, I made it back to my campus and met in the cafeteria for our first faculty meeting. It was overwhelming. We have a very large faculty! I was thinking how we used to scrunch into the Library at Branch...and i was looking out at about double the people I was used to seeing. The purpose of our meeting was to meet and greet. I got to stand up in front of all of the curious faces and smile. Then we were to go around and aquaint ourselves. Everyone got up and began hugging their comrades and chatting about their summers. I made it around to a few people to make those awkward first introductions...wondering if that person would be a lifelong friend like I had made at Branch. I know...pity party time...It just made me really miss my friends.

Things are definitely different on my new campus...but it doesn't bother me so much. I can learn new approaches...I can teach anything. I can use different systems, new grade books, and lesson plans. I guess my biggest worry at this point is if I will make those connections. Will I know this school inside and out? Will I be successful? Will I find my crowd? I want so badly for this to all work. I want to be apart of this school like I was at Branch. I want this to be my new home.