Well, summer break is over and school has 3 days under her belt. The first week has been good. I really do love getting back to school even if I do wish summer break could continue (unfinished projects, sleeping later, not having to be on schedule, etc.). I think the anticipation of the new school season is a holdover from my childhood days.
I lived right across the street from my grammar school so my sister and I were frequent visitors to the playground there and the Book Mobile that came in the summer. As the new school year approached and the week before school started, teachers would post the new class rosters outside their doors. The delight of being able to go up those concrete stairs and enter those empty halls (except for some teachers, a few other students like myself, and a member of the janitor staff) to see firsthand which teacher you would have that year was so exciting.
I still have that joy of seeing the new class roster except this time I am the eductor and not the recipient. I so hope that my "children" have the same anticipation of the new year like I did. Times have changed so much. Children are not as well disciplined as my age group was. They have so many more distractions to keep them less focused. The social issues that they face in their little lives is so much more daunting than any I ever had to face at that age. But I hope that in some way I can provide a little haven in the long process of education and life that looms before them.
I think this is a good time to express thanks to those wonderful ladies of Pearl Stephens School (Macon GA) who served me for the seven years I was in grammar school. (It's called elementary school now. Saying "grammar school" REALLY dates you!) Mrs. Wimberly (1st grade), Miss Wesley (2nd), Mrs. Ricks (3rd), Mrs. Goss (4th), Mrs. Lewis (first few weeks of 5th) and Mrs. Meeks(5th), Mrs. White and Mrs. Wimberly (6th - we switched classes), and Mrs. Lewis, Miss Williams, and Mrs. Deaton (7th - teachers taught their expertise). I know most of you are no longer alive, but thank you for all you taught me. I am a better person for being under your devoted instruction.
Danna, you impressed me with your ability to recall all the names of your teachers from that long ago! I'm not sure if I can...hmm...Mrs. Rainwater, 1st grade. Mrs. Salter, 2nd. I have no clue who my 3rd grade teacher was, but I remember really liking her. I also liked my 4th grade teacher and can remember her face. She played the guitar, and we sang a lot in her class. Mr. Nelson, 6th. That's the best I can do!
ReplyDeleteI know those K-5ers will love you because they will know that you love them. I remember my teachers names,too, but I won't show off and make Sheila feel bad! ha! ha!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the instruction you have given your students! I know I've told you this before, but your example was what encouraged me to go into education.
ReplyDeleteHeather, thank you so much for the encouraging message. I am feeling a little down dealing with the children today. Your message lifted my spirits! Our little class is cute, but they are so talkative. They don't listen very well either. I haven't felt like a very good teacher or one who shows love, Miss Debbie.
ReplyDeleteSheila, I don't know why it's so easy for me to remember my elementary school teachers. I certainly do not remember all my teachers' names from junior high and senior high.