The first day
Tomorrow is the first day of school for my students. The room is all set up and the lessons for tomorrow are planned. I have a short to do list for the morning but I am ready to start.
I’m more nervous this year
I think it’s because I know what I did wrong last year and I really don’t want to make the same mistakes again. It’s stupid because I know I will make a lot of mistakes. I will even make some mistakes multiple times.
This year I’m more prepared physically. My room is set up beautifully and I’m more organized than last year.
Last year I had boxes of unorganized stuff shoved under my desk and under a few tables because the closet was full of other stuff. This year all my unorganized stuff fits in the closet. Furniture is placed more logically than last year.
So the room is much better.
But mental preparation is different. Although I am optimistic about this upcoming year I don’t believe that all will go well.
Last year I was too sure of myself and believed everything would fall into place pretty easily. I’m scared of making dumb moves that will make this year just as hard as last year.
Last year everybody said it would be difficult and I didn’t completely believe them. I was surprised by how hard it was.
This year everybody says it will be much easier, but still difficult. So I’m scared of the hard parts because I don’t want it to be harder than I’m prepared for. I want to be good at this.
I am also worried about the students and their parents. I have two students who are younger siblings of kids I had last year. I’m worried that the parents might have a bad impression of me or that they might be confused by some of the differences in how I do things this year. I’m worried that the kids will come in with the impression that I’m a funny teacher who lets the class get away with too much.
You don’t need to be perfect
The closer I get to tomorrow the more worry is overtaking me. I’m excited, and I want to meet my students, but I keep thinking of things that I have to make sure to do tomorrow.
I can’t keep letting myself think that the first day will set the whole year in stone. I know that it sets the tone but I can always adjust if I do something wrong.
I did a lot of that adjusting last year. Adjusting works. The last two months of the year were really good and I just have to remember that a mistake isn’t the end of the world. Fewer mistakes would be better, of course. But I can’t let myself get worked up over being perfect. It just isn’t possible. Worrying over impossible perfection is worse than making a mistake in the first place.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey- I’m not sure how my dad found your blog but he did and he passed me the link! I love it! I just started a blog for friends/family (and whoever else is interested) to follow along with my first year of teaching. I technically started last February but I was more of a sub. Anyway, I love your blog and I’ll link to it. You describe the 1st day fears perfectly! I guess my mid-year start has me relating to your second year nerves.
You are so right. There is no need for you to worry. I have been following your blog and I know how prepared you are. As a matter of fact you have encouraged my to be better prepared. Your room looks great and you are prepared. I’m sure your year will be grand. Good Luck!
Stacy- I’m glad you are enjoying the blog! I am having a good time writing it. It must be nice to have done half a year already.
Big Mama- Thank you for your good wishes. I hope you have a great year too!
I am a college student, and want to be an elementary teacher. I found your blog very interesting and learned a lot from it!
I am a college student about to do my student teaching. I found your blog comforting to know that other teachers have worries leading up to the first day.
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