It's Elementary

Today was my first day as an elementary school teacher. It was certainly different than high school! Not bad different, or good different...just different. I felt so unprepared. It was as though I was staring at these tiny faces with no idea what to say. What do children like? What do they say? Do they understand me? I don't think I have any answers to those questions.

I was missing my high school students and my Lafayette colleagues for sure! I've never started a school year with anyone else, so that was just one more new experience to add to the pile. And did I mention that my alarm didn't go off? I had it set for 5:45 am and at 6:07 I woke up to discover it had not gone off. I'm quite proud to report that I completed my entire morning ritual in 13 minutes. Well, I didn't shave my legs or straighten my hair...but that's still pretty freaking good.

One thing I'm definitely going to miss is the ability to use sarcasm. Sarcasm, as you know, is my bread and butter. I thrive on wit, cynicism, and all other things that are not appreciated by the 12 and under demographic.

Once I get a hang of it, I'm sure it will be easier! I'm also certain there are going to be plenty of things I will love about my new job (as well as some aspects I won't love, but that's standard with any job).

Another thing that will come from getting a better hang of teaching Spanish to elementary schoolers is that I'll be able to devote more brain power to the others areas of my life that I currently deem sub-par. Don't get me wrong, thanks to OCD I'm focusing in every deficiancy as much as I possibly can...but it just doesn't feel like enough. My ultimate goal is to be able to control all aspects of my life via hyper-vigilance and intense anxiety, but that might be a lofty (or "crazy") goal.