Ahhhh!

Did you ever have the nightmare where you were standing in front of your class, only to realize you were naked?  Remember how sickening that was?

This is how I began my first day teaching.  No, I was not naked, but I sure felt that way.  As I pulled into school for the opening day assembly, every parking spot was filled... all but mine that is.  I immediately began to get nervous, thinking I had the time of the assembly wrong.  I was able to take a deep breath and calm myself.

However, when I entered the school, it was silent.  I didn't hear a sound.  This was not right as I was entering from the back near where the auditorium (and the assembly) were.  I got to the auditorium and peeked in.  It was empty.  No one was around.  I had MISSED IT!!!

"Great." I thought,  "Now I have to go to my principle on the first day and apologize for not being there as he introduced the new faculty!"

I was so frustrated.  How had I missed that?  I checked the start time like 6 times to make sure I would be there on time.  I walked quietly to my art room.  Sure enough, the homeroom that uses the space was there.  They were all gathered back together after the assembly.  BLAH.  What a way to start things off.

Finally, I slowed down enough to seek out another teacher who also does not have a homeroom.  I asked if I had missed the assembly.  To my great relief the answer was NO!  WHEW.  Dodged a bullet that time.

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I told the above story to a friend of mine after getting home from an otherwise uneventful first day of teaching.  I confided in her that I still feel like I have no idea what I am doing.  I couldn't tell if the students were giving me blank looks because I was boring, new, they were tired, syllabus day is always a drag, or WHAT.  All I knew was the looks made me feel even more out of place, and like I had a lot of catching up to do if I wanted to keep my teacher title.

She kindly re-assured me.  She reminded me that most adults still find themselves in a learning curve- ESPECIALLY with a new job.  Receiving a degree and professional title does not immediately inject you with all the knowledge, experience and confidence to move forward without a care.

Practice helps, experience helps, trial and error help.  Deep breathes DEFINITELY help.  Friends help- one might even say they can be super heroes dressed in civilian clothing.  Thanks friend for the calming advice and for reminding me I am not the only one feeling this way ;)

And thank you Mr. Principal for starting the assembly later than I expected so that I had my first-day-"I'm naked"-freak-out in front of a peer and not my class!

Cheers, to the many days ahead!!!