I’d like to say that I was eager to start the new semester, but the truth is that there is always a lot of trepidation that surrounds new beginnings. Even when one is a veteran teacher (and I was getting close to that point now) there is a cloud of anxiety that engulfs the individual. I think it is because teaching is based so much on relationships, and each semester rips old relationships apart and creates new ones in a way that I’m not sure any other profession does.

I eyed my new group of students as they entered the room. This class was a grade 10 one, so the students were a bit nervous. It is astonishing how quickly those nerves wear off, but the initial nerves are something that a teacher can capitalize on. That is, when the nerves are not getting to the teacher too. I took a slow sip of coffee and glanced down at my roster. Most of the names I am sure I will be able to read, but there are a couple there that make me nervous.

(Well, that’s my line count…I got the three words in, but the story is far from complete!)