First day vibes......

Yesterday I touched down in 5th grade.....and it was different, for sure.....I walked past my old classroom, and my team......and we hugged when we passed near the office.:) My people:) And my new team is super sweet and welcoming, despite my feeling really NEW..... the newness of it all felt squeaky for sure......like new sneakers....needing time to be broken in some, and feel like your own......I feel like I will fit in great with them, and we will make a great team.......and I am feeling all of that while missing my other peeps all at the same time.......I often write about the fact that most things are never one way......yin and yang on repeat.......all the feels circling round, and often times all at once......my class of kids is great:) And guess what, they are the same......we talk about kids being so different these days.....old people talk:)......but on the first day of school they are all the same.....the same as they were 25 years ago, and the same as I was all those years ago in 5th grade.....they sit there with possibility.......hope in the future.....all of it......their best outfits, new notebooks, and fresh crayons.......and kids are magic......they really are.....I think that is what keeps me as passionate about it all STILL......if you really connect with a student, and hear them, look into their face and see them.....they have so much to share, and it might be one of the most rewarding things I can think of for sure:) Our schedule is great.....and so that was the part of the day that didn't feel new or squeaky.....when I was with my class doing my thing.....and it is hard to believe I have been doing it that long......like really hard.....it doesn't feel like it at all....and each year holds the possibility of a new jumping off point, a place to begin again.....and that captivates me every time......I have implemented some new things in my flow.....some things that I think will be important......implementing some of my coaching principles into my classroom too....also working on a reading initiative and incentive with them, involving water balloons:).....because if we don't have kids reading often, and consistently, it makes the rest so much more difficult......so I am working to meet them where they are.......working on constructing a morning meeting time....a time for us to connect, and begin our day in a way that builds community and connection.......I had a lot of bonding and connection points yesterday....one kiddo lost his sweatshirt at lunch.....and I dropped them at music, and he came out of the line and asked for my help....upset that his mom would be upset at him for losing his sweatshirt.....he had lost it one other time at recess he said......so I told him sure, and we headed for the cafeteria....and they weren't sure there was a sweatshirt there.....but I peeked my head in, and saw it hanging over the wall in the wash room and got it for him......and the relief in him was palpable....and we chatted all the way back to music......:) the connections piece IS THE biggest work we are called to do in education......the more we can do that, the rest will follow......and some days it is hard.....amid the demands.....but my goal is to always keep that at the forefront of my mind and heart and let it lead the way! :) So I am feeling good rolling into day 2......working on changing passwords with the kids today, and would rather do anything than that lol:) Cheers to a good day:) Enjoy your day:)