The First Day of School: A Former Teacher’s Perspective

Today would have been the first day of my 18^th year of teaching.  But after 17 years as a high school Spanish teacher and 21 years in the educational field, I resigned my position over the summer.  That means, for the first time since I was 5 years old, I am not going to have a first day of school.

Preparing for the first day…

It has been strange not needing to prepare for this big day.  No need to buy school supplies and no need to carefully choose the first day of school outfit.  Yes, each and every year, I spent a lot of time trying to decide what I should wear on that first day I met students.  I always wanted something that said I was a professional… But since I am a serious person who was voted “most strict” and sometimes labeled “scary” because of my high expectations, I also wanted an outfit that told the kids I was approachable and nice and caring.

The first day of school outfit…

Last year, my entire outfit was planned around an adorable pair of shoes that my Mom got me.  (It’s also weird to not receive my beginning of the school year package from my awesome Mama.)  The shoes were cute, colorful, and playful.  I loved them and just had to wear them on the first day of school.  So, I paired them with a bright coral fashion top, dark blue leggings, and a trendy necklace.  My hope was that the fun colors and laid-back look would help ease any nerves my students might have about being in my class.

Now, I’m not sure my outfit accomplished this.  In fact, I’m not sure the kids even realized how much thought I put into my first day of school outfit.  I don’t know if other teachers took as much time to think about the impression their outfits would make.  I’m sure some of them did….  But I wanted that first impression to be a good one.  Because I always, always wanted to have an amazing year with my students, whom I affectionately called my “kiddos.”  So, I spent too much time thinking about that outfit…

The jitters…

So, as another school year begins, just remember—the kiddos aren’t the only ones experiencing the first day of school jitters.  Their teachers are also nervous and praying for a phenomenal year with the kids. So, when you go to meet them (and I promise they will have spent much time trying to decide what to wear on Back to School Night), look at them as a person and not just a teacher.  And remember that they love your kiddos, too.