I'm Ready

I thought that I would be really nervous tonight. I thought that the anxiety would be unbearable thinking of my first day as a teacher tomorrow. But the reality is, I am not anxious. Instead I feel excited, like when I was kid getting ready for my first day of school, the night before.

I have my outfit picked out and ready, but not ironed, because I didn’t have to iron it. Yes! I think I may have found my favorite dress shirt yet. It is purposely wrinkled called “crinkle” and it says specifically on the tag, “do not iron”. And yes, not having to iron it seems so inconsequential, but it makes one less thing for me to have to do, making my life yet that much easier. It’s wonderful and I’m already considering ordering another “crinkle” shirt, for the ease of use and the comfort.

My lunch is pre-portioned, but not packed yet, so that it will stay cold in the fridge, until it is time for me to leave. I’ve already figured out that I will get 30 minutes to enjoy my lunch before I have to report to Duty in the cafeteria. My work laptop is powered off and charging, but the bag is waiting by the front door (a gentle reminder not to forget it), next to a banker’s box of items I want to take to my classroom. 

In the banker’s box is my handmade poster of classroom expectations, a plaque that I crafted for myself that read’s “Mrs. Rackley’s Classroom”, along with a nameplate for my desk and an extra binder just in case. I’ve got numbers I cut out on the Cricut to number my desks for an easy seating arrangement. I also cut out in giant letters with the Cricut, “Read”, “Analyze”, “Discuss” and “Write”. I will hang those above my whiteboards and giant interactive screen as a reminder to my students of what they should be doing this year.

I have each period planned down to the minute and probably have more material than I will be able to cover. I stayed late last week to ensure that I got all of my copies made so that I would be ready for tomorrow. I have gone over the curriculum multiple times just to make sure that I know what I’m supposed to be teaching and I’ve read the material I am assigning so that I am familiar with what I expect my students to study.

Maybe it’s because I’ve spent the last two weeks, preparing, organizing and detailing every last thing. Or maybe it’s because all of my friends and family have so much faith in me and keep telling me that I am going to do great. Whatever the reason, I’m ready. And I didn’t think I would be.