Night and day. That how we would describe the difference between last year's first week of teaching, and this year's first week of teaching. Let me elaborate:
Last year, we were: stressed, anxious, nervous, sweaty, unsure, overworked, high-strung.
This year, we were: confident, stern, in control, proactive, funny (all our jokes landed), and generally happy.
Last year, we used to hear the 2nd year teachers go on about how much easier teaching is the second time around. As they would say these words, we would watch on with wanton faces and wishful hearts like Martin Short and Steve Martin in The Three Amigos, when Chevy Chase empties his canteen onto the desert floor. We so desperately wanted to feel the sweet relief so many 2nd years spoke of.
This week, we did. We attribute our early success to the fact that we've had a year to build up reputations as taskmasters, and also the fact that we're simply more confident. When you're not confident, your students leverage that against you. This year, students kept their mouths shut when we spoke, and didn't dare to test our mettle. Darn tootin'.
Now, we're not under any grand illusions that the entire year will be this way. The bashful nature of our students will begin to wear thin, and before long, they'll put us to the test. But there's no question that our days will be easier, that we're stronger teachers than we were a year ago, and that life is generally a little better.
Year 2: commence.
Your kids will keep respecting you as long as you don't use the words "darn tootin'" in front of them.
ReplyDeleteHere's (raised glass of root beer) to a great new year!