My 21st year as a teacher started with the best intentions. I moved classrooms this summer. I needed a change and a room with a connecting door to my teacher bestie opened up and I took a chance. It was probably too much work and not very smart, but its done now and I’m so glad. I didn’t put up as many decorations, I wanted it to be a little simpler.
My 21st year as a teacher had a hard start. Since 2022 every first day of school has been brutal for me. The pain I suffer from having to stand most of the first day is awful. I am in bed right now, having just gotten through the first day of the 2026-27 year. I have had a LOT of ibuprofen, and gabapentin today, and a little more than normal caffeine. That’s how I judge things by how much I need of those. Every year I wonder if this will be my last. I have all the negative thoughts. It does always get better though. I always have to remind myself that it will and that I need to sit down more. I don’t need to be in a hurry. I don’t need to keep the day completely full of non-stop things. I need to bring my stool with me on breaks and to the playground. I need to stay out of the heat. I need to think about my health.
My 21st year as a teacher has been incredibly frustrating. Everything in my district is new this year except my basal reading curriculum, but even then they want us to take the phonics out and do a different one. We have new e-mails, parent communication app, math curriculum, tutoring software, testing software, phonics, lunch counts, principals, meeting times, report cards, online grade books, teacher laptop, EVERYTHING. My new e-mail address had my name misspelled so I started the year with no access to any of these things and slowly got it as things got fixed. I have had NO training on any of these things except an overview of the math and phonics. I just do my best and muddle through the day…but it’s getting better.
My 21st year as a teacher is still filled with my favorite important things: my ABeka phonics charts and cards, circle reading game, minute madness math facts, book pockets with homework readers, beautiful art lessons from Deep Space Sparkle and a wonderful art curriculum (Art Through the Ages) this year.
My 21st year as a teacher will be my last year with a child of mine in public school. My last baby graduates this year. My kids have been in district with me most of the time (except when my district had a lot of troubles around Junior high years) and I love that. From 2009-2027 my kids have been in school. It seemed like it would never end and all my days went together with a song of children’s voices and school in my home and at work. Now that will look a little different, but I know its for best. I can’t wait to celebrate my son and watch him work and play this year!
My 21st year as a teacher has a lot in store for me, I know of several excellent things happening this school year. I hope to remember to be thankful for those and all that is a blessing to me this year as I celebrate and watch what God unfolds in my life!
Cheers to a wonderful academic year to you and yours,
-Jaime
