#teacher education August 31 That First Day of School Feeling

 

It's here, again, marked by advertisements for backpacks and social media pictures of children with smiles marked by nervous excitement and a clear awareness of the busy road ahead.  

It's here, again, for me as I begin another school year!  I really did think I was going to "retire"; but, a couple of courses I really wanted to teach were offered and I accepted!  

Those first day of school jitters I have had since I was 5 are back, just like always,  I was awake at 3 and antsy as I await for class to begin later. I've reviewed my class lists and my slides. I have a new notebook and a sharpened pencil ready.  I have a new outfit ready to go.  

Crazy as it seems, after many, many first days of school, the feelings are the same!  As the sun breaks through on this late August morning, I am grateful for one more semester supporting teachers so they can support students.!

#sol23 A Wise Sage

"Had the best day, yesterday," Mary said as we waited,

"sitting on the porch, listening to the rain, talking to my grandchildren.

Now they are older and we have become 

good friends with shared history.

It wasn't always this way. 

It used to be port-a-cribs and fighting over toys. 

I used to be sad as I watched them get older, 

driving, graduating and now getting married.

Now, I know the best days are right now!"

I'm pretty sure Mary is a wise sage 

who knew I needed to hear that 

before another little-one

kayaked into the pond of life. 

 

#sol23 August 8 Birthday Cards

 

I went birthday card shopping at the nearby Hallmark Paper Store hoping to find just the right card for a couple of upcoming family birthdays. Just a few years ago, the store was half-filled with cards; today, cards are tucked into two rows at the back of the store with clothes and  tchotchke filling the space. 

I had already been to my local CVS and there was not a single card at any price that fit any of my birthday card needs, TO be honest, even at the local card home base, the pickings were thin.

I stood in the aisle thinking about last week's post about mail and I started wondering if  cards are going the way of letter writing?  I thought about my Grandmother's special birthday book where every birth, death, marriage, divorce and address change was recorded. 

Then, I turned red with shame, because to be honest, I have long been HORRIBLE about remembering and sending birthday cards and Google is my address book!

Perhaps, this should be my birthday resolution?  

#sol23 August 1 Mail

In education, we are constantly trying to add, modify, rethink our practices in order to

best meet the needs of our communities.....perhaps others should try to do this?

No one sends me letters
No one sends invitations,

I don't even get bills in the mail, 

Anymore!

I dread going to the post office

Lines are long,

Options confusing

Cost of a stamp 66 cents!

Perhaps we need to rethink

The cost and delivery of daily mail

We're not the same nation we were

in 1775 when Ben Franklin was the 

Postmaster. 

We're not the same as when

Daily mail started in 1902.