Bored?

Bored! and in an interesting way....a little oxymoronic, hm?

I love teaching, any place, any time...I'm up for it.  Especially, at the beginning of the school year! The kids are fresh, rested, and happy to see their friends.  It's a great time because they're ready to be engaged!

Teachers, too, feel the excitement.  New students, new classrooms, new lessons. We're ready to decorate, plan, and greet the kids!

So, what do all districts do with the three days before school opens, which are usually called Teacher Preparation Days? They sit us in meetings. Sit!  Us! In meetings! You can't get further from my classroom than the High School gymnasium where we all gather. A flag salute, an invocation, a Welcome Back from the High School Senior Class President and a song by the choir all in the first 20 minutes. The High School Principal seconds the welcome and reviews the 60 year history of the school we are in. He mentions famous graduates, Olympians, Senators, and the local Mayor. All I want to do is teach!

The keynote speaker is next.  A local graduate who founded a silicon valley multi-billion dollar company, he greets us and explains it was here where he was first introduced to the field in which he would excel. Forty minutes later he has finished the power point presentation which he read from the huge computer screen. Because I am energized I can't quite focus on what he's talking about.  Instead, I'm running scenarios in my mind, assigning seating charts, creating bulletin boards , seeing my aides again.

Around me the clapping signifies the big wig is done. We are dismissed to have a ten minute break for coffee, pastries (I do neither...get some orange juice because I feel a slight dip in my energy level). After break, we have the Superintendent deliver a half hour State of the District speech which is a reprise of the material he presented at an end of the year faculty meeting at each school in the district three months before. He introduces the head of instruction who tells us some insignificant changes to State mandated programs (none of them mine). Next, the District Financial Officer is given fifteen minutes to discuss why there will be severe cuts to the budget.  He goes over time by an additional fifteen minutes. The Union President makes some remarks and then we are shown the schedule for the afternoon and the next two days.

It's 11:30 and we are asked to return at one o' clock to individual classrooms where we will be meeting in departments and have discussions about how we perceive this year within the constraints of the new requirements and budgetary constrictions. Just as I am planning my exit to my car, and perhaps an unfortunate (but opportune) date with ptomaine food poisoning,  the speaker wishes us bon appetit! The luncheon has been specially prepared by food service and we should applaud them in advance.  We do, and he intones...please sign in at the door to the cafeteria so you can receive your packet for this afternoon's activities! So, no escape possible.  And, I drag down to the cafeteria the energy fading fast.

Because I taught for 40 years I grew accustomed and prepared for this ritual of start-up.  But, I always wondered why any new, ambitious, young teacher remained in the classroom after a start like this.  I guess that's how they know you love to teach!