writing workshop

Today.

Ruth Ayres

Today is the first day of the new trimester.  This means two things:

  1. I get to teach my own class starting today — English 9A with 26 students.
  2. I barely slept last night and woke up early today.  This is typical behavior prior to the “first day of school.”  Starting a new trimester is like the first day of school in November for me.

I’m going to treasure every minute because I won’t be given this opportunity next year.  It’s like savoring every bite of a beignet in New Orleans or each bite of my favorite chocolate bar.  I’m anxious to meet the class and get to know the people who will be my primary community of readers and writers for the next three months.

I can’t help but think back to my first year of teaching.  Some things are still the same.  I don’t sleep the night before the first day of class because I’m so excited.  I’m like a little kid on Christmas eve.  I can’t wait to meet my students.  I’m also still wearing my rose-colored-glasses and saying to myself, You can make the world better, Pollyanna. 

Some things are different.  My skin is thicker.  I worry less about what other people think.  I’m not as concerned about being judged.  I understand the way some people respond to me has less to do with who I am and more to do with what has happened prior to walking through my classroom door.

Of course, my heart breaks easier today than it did before.  It aches when I hear the stories of neglect or angst or loneliness the students in our classrooms face day in and day out.  It seems each year there are more students who have been hurt by life than who those have seen the joy it can bring.

I’m anxious to use everything I know about adolescents and teaching and literacy and technology and weave it all together to create a trimester focused on lifting the level of the 26 teenagers in my classroom.   And I’m nervous that I won’t be good enough.  I’m racking my brain trying to figure out how I can catch them all.  Hoping against odds that I will always know the right way to respond so all 26 succeed. 

Today I begin a new adventure.  I will do my best to teach well not only today, but everyday.

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Published by Ruth Ayres

Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.

6 thoughts on “Today.”

  1. We must be kindred spirits-I found myself nodding and agreeing with your view-I too still get excited every year and feel I won’t be good enough. My heart aches for those students that have such difficult lives. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to develop a new community for them. Thanks for taking time to share.
    Hugs
    Dollie

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  3. Hey there…so did you use Ish? I’m curiousish 🙂 And I loved the reflection on who you were and who you are now. And you’re right, you’re not good enough (on your own), but when you tap into the gift that has been so lavishly blessed upon you, you’re great!!! Simply because His gifts are what’s needed for those kids! Excited to come and observe you when I can get a chance!

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