The poster on my classroom wall was supposed to be for my students. Turned out it was mostly for me.
I am no longer a "first year" teacher. I now have experience...most of it from sources I never expected to face my first year. There was the barfing incident 20 minutes into a 3 hour bus ride home from camp...and the shocking realization that I was the one that was going to have to take care of it. There was also the realization that kids are not really all that quiet...or studious. Who knew? There was the unbelievable heartbreak of suddenly losing my mentor teacher and going through the experience with the students.
I will never forget this year but am looking forward to next year. And I have learned to Keep Calm and Carry On.
