Too Cool for School

Sophomore

Today was the first day of my second year, but the amount of wisdom I have at my disposal now compared to last year...no comparison.

Last year:
Wore my new pretty wrap-around sweater with my favorite black trousers and cute heels. Tried to appear as put-together as possible while dropping piles of paper as I walked across the room.

This year:
Wore the same khaki pants I always wear...and tennis shoes. Skipped the paper handouts that I knew would end up in the trash. Conveyed my basic expectations while getting close enough to their faces for them to smell my breath.

Last year:
Brought my lunch and didn't get to eat it.

This year:
Had a double-decker oatmeal cream pie and a diet coke for lunch while walking around the cafeteria, reminding students they needed to sit where we tell them to.

Last year:
Sat in meetings and daydreamed, imagining that if I really needed to know this information, I could ask a coworker.

This year:
Sat in meetings and daydreamed, knowing that they had already e-mailed the information three times.

Last year:
Tried to look scary with mean facial expressions.

This year:
Tried to be myself, which is scary in its own way.

Last year:
Working under the rule, "Don't smile until Christmas".

This year:
Working under the rule, "Approach a student like you like them".

Last year:
Flirted with cute coach in the copy room.

This year:
Told Coach Hottie to hurry up so I could use the copy machine.

And that's the difference between being a first year teacher and a second year teacher.

posted by Heather at 8/21/2006