BACK TO WORK!!!

First of all, I apologize for not writing for many, many days.  The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of traveling to drop off my daughter in Ontario for university, and getting ready for school. No excuse, I know!  My intentions to write have been far greater than my time behind my laptop!

For any teacher, Labour Day Weekend marks the termination of "freedom" and the commencement of the school year with all that that implies -- lesson planning, room set-up, marking assignments, writing report cards, early mornings, late afternoons, and laying awake at night thinking about that one student who just isn't engaged and buying in.  For me, Labour Day Weekend held too many emotions to even describe!  The sheer excitement and pride of a daughter continuing her university education in the unknown world of Ontario, coupled with the emptiness and sadness when leaving her behind.  The contentment of having David home for six whole days, and having enough time together to settle in to our usual routine.  The anticipation, trepidation, uncertainty, anxiety, flurry, and joy of returning to work -- to precious students, new colleagues, much-needed routine, "normal" life.  It was here!!

It seems to always be the case -- whether after Christmas break or whether after the endless days of summer -- that, by recess break, all the staff is saying "It feels like we never left!".  My burning question is, how can that be the case when I had 10 months off?!? However, by nutritional break on Tuesday morning, I was stating exactly the same thing.  By the time the students left at noon, I had endured a 2-hour staff meeting, and then a 1-hour meeting with the principal, I was thoroughly and completely exhausted.

There have been moments this week when I asked myself, "You wanted to return to this?" "Why?"
However, even though the first few days were a real challenge -- this IS high school, after all -- I have already experienced several rewarding moments.  Moments that make me breathe a sigh of relief and realize, "Yes!! This is why I love teaching!!"  It's going to be a great year, for many, many, many reasons! None of the least of which is ... I'm ALIVE to teach it!!

True confession time -- David took a picture of me outside my new school on Day One.  But ... I thought I looked so fat that I won't include it :( :(

PS:  I have really missed the therapeutic nature of writing my blog.  I will try my level best to be more consistent in the weeks to come.