The Night Before First Grade

5 weeks of Institute training, 2 weeks of Round Zero preparation, 40+ hours spent planning and setting up my classroom last week are all being put to the test at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning when my twenty one, bright-eyed and eager first graders walk through my door.

There's so much running through my head right now. What bus are my students riding home on? Did I get everyone's lunch number right? Where did I put my Brown Bear, Brown Bear book? Why are my lesson plans out of order? What will I say when they walk in the door?

After speaking with other corps members, fellow teachers, friends and family members, I decided that I'm not prepared. Nope. I could use another year to get my feet wet in the education field. I am unsure about centers. I have no idea how to write a referral. Where exactly IS the science lab? I may not be prepared, but I am ready. I am ready to meet my students. I am ready to talk about big goals or big plans as we call them in my class. I am ready to put everything I learned to the test. I may fail. I may suck. I may forget everything I am supposed to be doing tomorrow when I stand in front of my students. Mistakes happen and no teacher is perfect. I am ready to try. I am ready to attempt. I am ready to say proudly I am a first grade teacher- whether I succeed at most or not.

I want to say good luck to the 101 other 09 Charlotte CMs heading into the classroom tomorrow. We have been through so much together and while this whole experience seems daunting and completely overwhlemed, we have all been in this together and that won't change. We will change education in Charlotte whether people like it or not. I am so proud of all of you.

Please pray for me, send me good vibes, or just think about me tomorrow and the rest of this week. Thanks for everyone's continual support and I can't wait to share my first day experience tomorrow! I wonder who is more nervous...me or my first graders. Here are picture of my beautiful classroom for your viewing pleasure :)