Amy Loves Books

And so it begins.

I was going over rules and classroom procedures during third period. “I know you have heard this stuff all day”, I said. “So I will just hit the main points - the rules I care about (cell phones and headphones in class) and the ones I don’t care about (eating/drinking in class).” One of my students raised her hand. “We have gone over rules all day”, she said, “but you are the first teacher who seems happy to be here”.

I told her that I seemed that way because I was happy to be there. I meant it. I told them that I always wanted to be a teacher, ever since childhood. I told them that all the years that I stayed home, I missed teaching. August always made me melancholy. I wanted to be in the classroom.

I have a bunch of students - five classes of close to thirty kids. This is a bit overwhelming - lots of names to learn, lots of papers to grade.

I am teaching the principal’s youngest son. Take a moment and let that sink in. Then, pray for me. Please.

Last year, I had a student that gave me all sorts of problems. A few people know the details of what I went through with her - she was openly defiant and told me that she hated me on a daily basis. By the end of the year, she had come around and opened up. Today, she sought me out during the change of classes; she came into my classroom and gave me a hug.

After school, another former student came in to visit me. Last year, she was one of my best ninth grade students. Now, she is four months pregnant. I asked if she would come back second semester and she said yes. No matter what, she was going to finish high school. I told her that she was smart, and that I knew she could do it. Maybe she will be in my tenth grade class next semester. I told her that if she is, after the baby is born, I will help her catch up.

One day in and I already see that this year is going to be a gift that is not always easy to unwrap.

But I always wanted to be a teacher. And deep down, I know that these are the kids I always wanted to teach.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me, and encouraged me, and helped me be brave. I am grateful.

first day of school - two tired girls in the afternoon