Today, I miss my classroom.
I miss welcoming your children
and teaching them
and learning about them
and loving them.
I miss pulling into my parking spot,
the sun freshly risen
that apple skin hour
sipping my first-day-back Starbucks
as the cool morning air greets me.
I miss the early morning quiet:
the air ripe with anticipation,
the double-checking everything,
straightening name tags on desks,
writing colorful welcome messages on the board
and setting up bins to sort back-to-school supplies.
I miss their first-day faces
all shiny and bright,
hair freshly cut and combed
pigtails neatly braided
glasses still intact
squeaky new sneakers,
still white
(for now).
I miss the parents
hovering
holding their baby’s faces
reminding them:
…listen to the teacher
…be good
…eat your lunch
…I love you!
The kids twisting away from Mommy’s grasp,
eager to greet friends
and hit the playground.
Or the shy ones,
quietly, nervously
standing with their parents
too old to cry
but too young to hide the fear.
I see you.
Bright smiles:
“Hello! Are you in my class?”
Shy nod, forced smile.
Relieved parents, grateful that I noticed
their little flower
amongst the throngs of loud,
excited
shouting children.
“Are you new this year?”
Shy nod, looking down.
As if it were a bad thing.
“Well, aren’t YOU lucky!
The students here love to welcome new kids!
Let me introduce you to some of them…”
And I know just the person
to give the warm welcome they need.
The child reluctantly releases Mommy’s hand
Mom and Dad can’t hide their hearts on their faces–
wishing, hoping, praying
that they made the right choices
that their child will be happy
and thrive
and make friends
and that the teacher will love them.
I will. I will take care of your precious baby.
More parents. Parents galore.
Parents watching, waiting, asking, hugging.
And then the bell rings.
The whole school is quiet for a short second,
then the whistle, the lines,
and finally:
the class.
They’re lined up all fresh and shiny and new
with anticipation for the new year:
clean slates, new beginnings,
and now, one of the “big kids!”
This is the only time I will not know all of their names
because by the next recess, I will have them all down pat.
We will play ice breakers
explore their new classroom
read, write, draw, and learn.
That day will seem long.
So long.
As the first week always does
but then suddenly it will be over
and quiet
again.
I will sit for a minute at my desk
take a breath,
and start sorting:
student work
back-to-school paperwork
school supplies
first-day handouts
the next day’s plans.
Halfway through, I will look out the window
and suddenly realize
it’s dark.
I should go home
and eat
or sleep
or something
Because tomorrow, we do it all again.
It’s exhausting,
but I love it
and I miss it.
6 responses to “First Day of School”
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Heart-touching poem! You seem so kind, positive, and giving, so I am sure that your school and fellow teachers miss you too. 🙂 Thank you for blogging about your teaching and parenting experiences, as well as cool math games and recipes. You’ve been a wonderful teacher to me.
Thanks, Debbie!! 🙂 And thank you for reading along :).
Beautiful! You’re still teaching. Everyday. Thanks for teaching here too!
It’s my pleasure! Thank you for reading along! 🙂
So sweet… my oldest starts preschool next week, and I’m the nervous one! My husband knows his teacher, so I’m sure he’ll be taken care of, and the school is a really awesome one… it will just be an adjustment. O.o
Aw!! That will be a big milestone! I’m so glad you can trust that your child is in good hands :). Wishing you all a great first day!!