School *sigh*

Tomorrow 19 children will show up in our classroom.
Along with the mouse that doesn't want to be caught.
Along with a teacher who is already tired and in need of one more vacation day.

Am I ready?

As ready as I'll ever be. I wish we were already two weeks into the year and everyone was already used to the new schedule. The first two weeks of school are the hardest for me as the teacher. I like order and structure. Those two words don't exist in my vocabulary until the middle or end of August.

Tomorrow I'll say a thousand times: This is our procedure for going to the bathroom, walking in the hall, sharpening our pencil, raising our hand, etc., etc., etc. Are you doing what I asked of you? Remember, this is our procedure...

I have the cutest parents this year. They are all smiles and happiness. I got more hugs today from parents than I ever have before. Several of my moms are tiny and round and have the biggest grins. I've been teaching long enough that I'm teaching brothers and sisters and cousins of previous students. That's a fun feeling.

Several of last year's students came by today. One of my started-off-as-my-least-favorite-but-ended-up-as-one-of-my-favorite students came by. I just happen to have his picture hanging up by my desk. He was a pouter at the beginning of the year. One of my favorite pictures is him holding a gigantic glass jar of candy with an even more gigantic grin on his face. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. He and his mother were so thrilled to see that hanging up near my desk. I wish I'd had my camera to capture that full-faced grin he gave me.

Every now and then you realize you might have made a difference in a child's life.
I felt that today.
That's why I teach.