Another crack at it...

So my real job is soon to begin again.

I'll inevitably have the first-day-jitters like most other teachers have when the kids come back each year. I've been told that if you don't get that nervous feeling at the beginning of each school year, you may as well go ahead and hang it up and go for a "normal" job.

Hopefully, though, this year will be much more effective than last year. I'm older now, wiser now, fatter now...and that's got to count for something right? I feel like I've prepared more along the lines of "long term planning" this year than I have in the past in an effort to provide the kids with a complete package of self-acquired knowledge from now until December. For example in my Forensics class, I've prepared a fictional case with real evidence to be processed that begins on day one and will be solved in December. Every unit we cover in the class will be tied back to the case we're trying to solve. When the kids leave, they'll take with them a disc that houses all the evidence items, witness statements, pictures, labs, etc. that they needed to solve the case.

In Biology, I'm going to start at a completely different spot in the content in an effort to give the kids a better understanding of our modern view of life on the planet.

The first year of the Spring Valley Outdoor Adventure Club is about to start as well...which gives me a "tingle in my innards" for sure.

So with all these plans, goals, aspirations, and interest outlets, I guess you can say that I'm more excited about this year than any of the previous years. Teachers are definitely underpaid for what they do on a daily basis...BUT...that doesn't make me any less thankful that I can continue to hone my craft at influencing and being influenced by all the great people at Spring Valley High School.