I always joke that if it weren’t for those darn kids at school, I’d get a heck of a lot done. I arrived back in town on August 9 and have been working non-stop to get ready for today. I made cute posters and hung wooden signs. I rearranged my room and cleaned my cabinets. I photocopied and dusted and lesson planned and developed resources and, quite literally, put in twelve-hour days, paid or not, to prepare for today.

And today, the students arrived. I was a mix of nervousness and excitement.

I am not the kind of teacher who goes over the syllabus on the first day of class (go figure). We had a modified schedule and only spent 25 or so minutes with each class, but I don’t believe in doing what everyone else is doing…and everyone else was going over the syllabus, or rules, or some variety thereof.*  Instead, I taught my first lesson in a way that I’m sure surprised the crap out of some kids (I could see it on their faces). One girl’s eyes kept darting back and forth around the room like she expected John Quiñones or Allen Funt to jump out of the closet. Continue reading →